Christians After Certainty: John 20:24-29

When Thomas hears Jesus was alive, he does not celebrate. He asks questions. He needs to see the wounds.

Jesus does not shame him. He does not lecture him. He does not say, “If you had more faith, you would not need proof.” He shows Thomas the scars.

That detail matters. The resurrected Jesus still carries evidence of suffering.

In 2026, people are done with fake certainty. They are questioning inherited theology, institutions, and leaders who act like doubt is dangerous. They are not rejecting Jesus. They are rejecting performances that leave no room for honesty.

Certainty does not build faith. Trust does. Faith that cannot survive questions was never faith. It was fear dressed up in confidence.

I have sat with people leaving churches not because they stopped believing, but because they were told their questions were threats. One woman told me that she did not need me to provide all the answers. She just needed someone to stay with her in the asking.

That is pastoral work.

Jesus did not erase the wounds to prove his power. He revealed his wounds to build trust. The church should take notes. We do not need leaders who pretend they are untouched. We need leaders who are honest about where grace met them in pain.

Doubt is not the enemy of faith. Silence is. Shame is. Control is.

The future of the church will not be led by those who claim certainty about everything. It will be led by those who are brave enough to love deeply, listen well, and admit when they are still learning.

Jesus did not hide his scars. He invited Thomas to touch them.

Maybe the church should stop pretending it has none.