Full Circle: A post-resurrection reflection

by Doug Wigginton

April 20, 2026

Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:27-29

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.In him was life, and the life was the light of men. (John 1.1-4)

Jesus told his disciples several times that he would rise from the dead three days after his crucifixion. Even so, the disciples were so overcome by fear and disbelief that they hid behind locked doors in the upper room. It’s hard to picture all the emotions they felt: sadness, confusion, depression, guilt, and anger. Their grief made it difficult for them to understand what was happening.

Then, suddenly, Jesus appeared and stood with them. He knew they were anxious and afraid, so he said, “Peace be with you.” He showed them his hands and feet so they could see the nail marks, and he lifted his robe to reveal the wound in his side.

The disciples were amazed that Jesus was alive and probably hurried to tell Thomas the good news. But Thomas did not react as they expected. He said, “Unless I see the nail marks on his hands and touch where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe” (John). Thomas needed to see, hear, and touch for himself to be sure that something so unbelievable had really happened.

Thomas’s skepticism is not just about doubt, as his nickname “Doubting Thomas” suggests. Instead, it shows how much he understood the Jewish beliefs about the end times. Thomas knew what death looked like, but he could not picture what resurrection would be like. For Jews, resurrection was expected at the end of time, not in the middle of history.

Eight days later, Jesus appeared to his disciples again, and this time Thomas was with them. Seeing how Thomas felt, Jesus said, “Peace be with you.” He immediately addressed Thomas’s doubts: “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas then confessed his faith, saying, “My Lord and my God,” which brings John’s Gospel full circle.

John clearly states the purpose of his gospel: “These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20.31). It’s also important to remember that John began his Gospel with what R. Alan Culpepper called one of the most profound passages in the Bible: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1f). Thomas’s confession, “My Lord and my God,” brings the story full circle.

Thomas realized that Jesus was not just a teacher or friend, but God himself. Think about it: the “Word who was with God and was God” (John 1.1) now stood before Thomas, alive and victorious.

After meeting the risen Lord, Thomas became “one of many witnesses who had heard and touched the word of life.” (See 1 John 1:1). Real encounters with God change everything. For Thomas, it meant moving from skepticism to surrender, from uncertainty to conviction, and from doubt to worship.

With all this good news, it’s easy to forget that Thomas’s confession of faith was just the first step in his journey. As our faith grows, we also learn to “stop doubting and believe.” After all, “Those who believe without seeing are truly blessed.”

Jesus gave Thomas and the other disciples a clear mission: “As the Father sent me, so I send you.” True faith leads to action.

Peace be with you. Amen.