“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29).

So says Jesus to the well-known “doubting” Thomas, the story which this week’s hymn details. “O Sons and Daughters of the King” is an Easter hymn which tells how, when the disciples were gathered in fear one night, Jesus appeared to them. When they later told the story to Thomas who was not with them, he told them he would not believe unless he saw and touched the crucifixion marks on Jesus’ body. Jesus again appeared to the disciples, this time with Thomas present. He then invited Thomas to touch the marks in his hands and side.

What a wonderful thing to see the risen Jesus in his human flesh! Jesus calls those of faith, those who believe without having seen him in human form, blessed. They are “sons and daughters of the King” and are compelled to praise God for this glorious gift of salvation even without having touched the nail marks and spear gash on Jesus’ body. We are granted this faith through the sacraments, Holy Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Consider that in each of these sacraments, we use tangible things—water, bread, wine. And the bread and wine in the Lord’s Supper is actually Jesus’ body and blood. We may not have seen the risen Christ in his human form, but he still gives of the gift of his body and blood that we, like Thomas, can touch with our own hands.

Finally, we sing Alleluia because Christ has overcome death and “the grave has lost its sting”. In our Church Year, the celebration of Easter lasts 50 days. We are still celebrating! Even when Eastertide is over, we are still an Easter people and continuously remember that Christ is risen from the dead—risen in his own flesh just like he will one day raise us in our own flesh. Thanks be to God!

Review questions:

1. What is this hymn about? Can you retell the story of “doubting” Thomas?

2. What does Jesus call those who have not seen him and yet believe?

3. Even though we have not seen Jesus in his human form, how does he still let us, like Thomas, touch him?

4. Which season of the Church Year are we still celebrating?