The Resurrection: the most difficult story in the Bible

The Resurrection is to me the most difficult story in the Bible.

John 20:31: Jesus said unto Thomas, "Because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed. Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed."

To elaborate on this, I look at three characters in the story. Mary Magdalene, a woman totally committed to Jesus. She was with Jesus throughout the crucifixion and she was there on the first day of week, early while it was still dark at the tomb. Yet still when she finally met Jesus, she took him for the gardener.

Do you know a Mary Magdalene? Someone who is totally committed to Jesus, but then doesn't recognize Jesus when he looks like the gardener, or the homeless person?

The other disciple in the story, Thomas, would not believe until he sees the wounds of Jesus. Do you know someone like Thomas? How many times we lose faith and is certain that Jesus must be dead, because our prayers have gone unanswered for so long? How many times we ignore the principles of our beliefs because we no longer feel his presence? We become doubtful Thomases. We live not knowing who to love or when to love. We set limitations on love based on perceptions.

The third disciple in the story is referred to as the one Jesus loves. This disciple could be anyone who holds the faith of Jesus in the good times and in the bad times. The one Jesus loves could be anyone who sees the presence of Jesus in everyone, and treats everyone with the knowledge that Jesus is present within them.

John could say with certainty that he is the one Jesus loves, because he believed in the resurrection without asking for proof.

But the ultimate gift of the resurrection, to me, is Jesus's compassion as he answers all their doubts by revealing himself.

Today's resurrection story is alive in how he expects us to believe. Blessed are those who have not seen, but have believed.