In re-reading the Easter story, I had a surprise. Think carefully about Thomas. Remember that he said, "Unless I see his hands, the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of his side, I will not believe." Eight days later when Thomas saw Jesus, still doubting, he placed his hands in Jesus' side and became a believer.

Now here is the surprise.

What did Thomas doubt? Not the resurrection. He knew God had the power to raise Jesus. Eight days after the resurrection, he stood face to face with Jesus and did not doubt that it was Jesus. What he doubted was NOT the resurrection; what he doubted was the crucifixion.

That God would be with us in the deepest pain and suffering of human life, that God would love us enough to say in effect, "There is no place where I will not be with you-even death," that was more than Thomas could comprehend.

Perhaps we do not have a problem with resurrection - we flock to church at Easter by the millions. Perhaps we have a problem with believing that God could love us enough to endure a cross for us. Think about it...