On the day Jesus rose from the dead Mary Magdalene discovered an empty tomb but she still didn’t understand that Jesus had risen until he appeared to her. The disciples didn’t understand and they didn’t believe Mary until Jesus came and appeared to them while they were cowering in fear behind locked doors. And finally Thomas declares that he will not believe until he sees Jesus with his own eyes and Jesus grants his wish a week later.

What amazes me is that Jesus chooses these people to carry on his ministry and he commissions these disciples right there and then. It seems a bit reckless doesn’t it, to ask these doubting and fearful disciples to be responsible for his entire ministry? For something as important as forgiveness (v23) and eternal life! And from these disciples this same ministry has been passed on to countless generations of Christians since.

Just as with the disciples Jesus doesn’t give this task to us because we are worthy of his trust, he gives it to us because he is trusting. And he doesn’t leave us alone and resource-less, he gives us the Holy Spirit to empower us, and to work with us in his ministry.