The Barefoot Evangelist

Read John 20:19-29 with your family.

When Jesus’ friends first saw him after he came back to life, they were amazed – but also a little confused. One of the disciples, Thomas, wasn’t there when it happened. So when the others told him, he wasn’t sure what to think. He said he wanted to see Jesus for himself before he believed it.

Sometimes people call him “Doubting Thomas,” but that’s not really fair. Thomas wasn’t trying to be difficult – he was being honest. He had big questions, and he wanted to understand what was really true. That’s something a lot of us feel too.

The wonderful thing is that when Jesus came back again, he didn’t get upset with Thomas. He didn’t say, “You should have just believed.” Instead, Jesus came close and said, “Come and see.” Jesus showed Thomas that it’s okay to ask questions and to take time to understand.

That doesn’t mean we ignore the people who care for us or make unsafe choices just to “find out for ourselves.” Grown-ups help keep us safe and guide us because they love us. But inside that safety, there is always room to wonder, to ask, and to learn.

You don’t have to pretend you understand everything.
Jesus welcomes your questions—and he stays close while you figure things out.

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