In preparation for a sermon during my pastorate, a particularly good idea surfaced. I thought to myself, "What a powerful message the Holy Spirit has laid on my heart!" The Scripture passage was something we all needed to hear. After I had delivered the sermon, I had a lot of positive feedback. However, I was disappointed to see that several of our congregants were absent. Unfortunately, they missed the blessing that morning.

As I recalled this scene, the following passage came to mind:

John 20:24-25 – But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples were saying to him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe." (NASB)

I perceived that if Thomas had been present, perhaps he might not have doubted. Look at the experience that Thomas missed out on:

John 20:19b-23a – Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be with you." And when He had said this, He showed them both His hands and His side. The disciples then rejoiced when they saw the Lord. So Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you." And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven." (NASB)

Upon reading this passage, I realized several things that Thomas forfeited by not being there:

• The person of Jesus
• The presence of Jesus
• The fellowship with Jesus
• The fellowship with his brethren
• The peace of Jesus
• The prayer or benediction of Jesus
• The revelation of Jesus
• The power of Jesus
• The power of His resurrection
• The glory of the Lord
• The joy of the Lord
• The purpose of Jesus
• The commission of Jesus
• The breath of Jesus
• The promise of the Holy Spirit
• The forgiveness of Jesus
• The worship of Jesus

As the sequence of events closed eight days later, Jesus appeared and satisfied Thomas's conditions. Thomas responded, "My Lord and my God" (John 20:28 NASB). Thomas's experience reminds us about what we may be deprived of when we lose our focus on the Lord and neglect meeting with fellow Christians. His example merits the question: Missing something?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we give You all the honour and glory. You know our strengths and our weaknesses. Keep us ever so humble, and sustain us in Your gracious arms. Guide us so that we never miss Your blessings nor lose sight of Who You are and what You have done. Help us to make each day profitable to Your glory. In the name of Your Son Jesus, we pray. Amen.

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