Do Not Miss the Key Moment
As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord! Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came. John 20:20-24
In the life of the Church, there are specific moments marked by God’s visitation that can change the course of our faith forever. In this passage, we see a painful contrast: while ten disciples experienced the presence of the risen Christ, receiving His peace, His commission, and the breath of the Holy Spirit, one of them was absent. Thomas missed the “key moment” of Jesus’ manifestation simply by not being there. As a pastor, I want to encourage you to value the congregation and fellowship, understanding that there are collective blessings that God has designed to deliver only when His people are gathered together.
- The danger of absence in fellowship The Bible emphasizes that Thomas “was not with the others.” Thomas’s physical absence did not just deprive him of an emotional experience, but of a vital spiritual impartation. When we isolate ourselves, we become vulnerable to doubt and disconnect from the flow of revelation that the Lord is pouring out upon the body of believers.
- The joy produced by the presence The disciples present were “filled with joy” upon seeing the Lord. This is not a joy produced by external circumstances, but by the evidence that Jesus is alive and in their midst. Missing the encounter with the community of faith often keeps us in a state of sadness or discouragement that only the presence of Christ in the midst of His children can cure.
- The impartation of purpose and power Jesus did not just appear to comfort, but to send: “As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” Furthermore, He breathed the Holy Spirit upon them. Thomas did not receive this commission or this power in that instant. There are levels of anointing and clarity of purpose that the Lord delivers specifically when the church gathers in unity.
- The struggle against unbelief Thomas’s absence led him to a state of skepticism that lasted eight more days. While the others celebrated the victory, he remained trapped in the pain of death. A lack of consistency in the house of God often opens the door to intellectual and spiritual doubt, making it harder for us to believe in the promises that others are already enjoying.
Do not allow distractions, discouragement, or temporary commitments to rob you of the moment when Jesus decides to present Himself in the midst of His people. Every meeting is a unique opportunity where the Lord can breathe new life into your dry areas. Do not be a “Thomas” who arrives late to the revelation; stay present, stay united, and stay alert. The Lord has a peace to give you, a Spirit to breathe upon you, and a mission to entrust to you that you can only fully receive when you are in the place where He has promised to manifest Himself.
As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord! Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came. John 20:20-24
Think About It:
- What excuses do you usually use to not congregate or participate in prayer and fellowship meetings?
- Have you noticed how your faith weakens or your doubts increase when you distance yourself for a time from the body of Christ?
- Make a commitment not to miss the next church meetings, preparing your heart to receive what God has already prepared for you.