Thomas couldn’t imagine that Jesus was alive. But Jesus had come into the locked room and revealed himself. Too often we lock up our lives with self protection and control that we can’t imagine Jesus doing something big. In the same way that the disciples experienced Jesus in the midst of their secure world, we can see Jesus in our own lives. He wants to knock down the walls and free us to experience his power. Imagination is the first step toward faith. We have to imagine that things could be different.

Because God is able to do more than we can ask or imagine, it’s clear that we might not be able to envision the vastness of God’s plan for our lives. So the imagination gets things started. We must imagine that things could be different so that we can free up ourselves to respond to God’s grace. The last verses of the passage reveal that there is a special blessing awaiting for those who believe. This is a powerful passage of scripture and Pastor Scott inspires us to bigger and better things in our own lives.

I have seen the Lord! Mary Magdalene was sent on a mission by Jesus to tell everyone she saw him.  He rose from the dead. Sending her on a calling was Jesus’s way of helping her heal, as well as showing her gentleness. One can define gentleness as “just taking a little more time.” We all can benefit from taking more time with ourselves and others.

The focus of today’s lesson is on the tenderness of Jesus and how to receive comfort. Pastor Scott share many stories from the Bible of Jesus’s compassion. Also tells the story of Mary Magdalene at the tomb. Practical suggestions are given to become more gentle and how receive these gifts. These gifts from God are something we all need.