Scripture
One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came. They told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.”

Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” John 20:24-27 (New Living Translation)

Observation
The obvious is amazing. Through locked doors, Jesus came to the disciples alive after he was dead. That is not everyday news. But what is more astounding is the not so obvious. Jesus was present in the room when no one saw him.

The proof is in how Jesus repeated Thomas’ private conversation word for word. Jesus visible was amazing; but Jesus invisible is astounding. When we are gathered together with other believers, Jesus in our midst even when we can’t see him.

Immediately, we get fearful of saying the wrong thing and want to get things right. But that’s not the point of this story. It is more tender than that. Jesus heard and turned a protest into a prayer. God hears our private longings and does the remarkable to bring them about.

Application
There are times in my own life that I know that Jesus has been eavesdropping on my conversations. My objections in private with friends become public answers to prayers that I never prayed. Jesus is listening to every conversation. I need to live in the fear of what God thinks and speak well, and yet more. I need to live in an expectation that Jesus just might hear the longing of my heart and do more than I expect.

Prayer
Jesus, help me to speak today knowing that you are listening. Amen.