Deeper Reflection
I LOVE THE PICTURE OF THOMAS PUTTING HIS FINGER
into the nail-holes in Jesus’ hands. John has set up from the beginning of
his Gospel account that Jesus is none other than YHWH God-in-the-flesh
(e.g., Jn 1:1,18). John’s readers thus must interpret Jesus no less than God
throughout the 21 chapters. Here, it is the God of the universe standing
before a man, offering His hands to be inspected by a man. The same
hands of God hung from the cross, nailed there by the hands of man.What glorious mystery! The world created and sustained by God’s hands
for His purpose is now once more committed into God’s hands for its
redemption. And our God in humility offers his hands to us and says
“come, take a look.” There is only one pair of hands worthy to hold the
universe together and He has done it.There is additional mystery. The man hanging from the cross cries out
to God in Luke 23:46, quoting Psalm 31:5 – “Father, into Your hands I
commit my Spirit.” Unspoken is the second half of Psalm 31:5 – “Deliver
me, LORD, my faithful God.” Because of the sacrifice of Jesus on the
cross, who was not delivered from death for our sakes, today we can say
together with the Psalmist, “I trust in You, LORD; I say, ‘You are my God.’
My times are in Your hand (Psa 31:14-15).”
