At some point, nearly all of us have experienced the sensation of being trapped in a nightmare. Grotesque images, confusing logic, unseen dangers, and a sense of deep unease, darkness, and fear. Perhaps we even think we have woken up, only to find ourselves stuck in a deeper layer of dream. Contrasted, at last, against the nearly indescribable relief of finally waking up, safe in our own beds, and realizing, “Oh…it was just a dream.” For the apostles, the hours following Jesus’ crucifixion must have felt like one endless nightmare. Grieving, confused, full of self-reproach and bitter recrimination for their own cowardice. And overall, a profound sense of wrongness—after all they had done, after all they had seen Him do, how could it have come to this? 

Into this waking nightmare, Jesus comes and stands in their midst, saying, “Peace be with you” (Jn. 20:19). In a   moment, the nightmare is over. It is like waking up safe in the sunshine. “The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord” (Jn. 20:20). All except Thomas, who did not see and thus would not believe. He would not risk being fooled, believing he had woken up only to find himself stuck in another horrible dream. To him, Jesus gives a gentle rebuke: “Do not be unbelieving, but believe.” And afterward, a promise: “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed” (Jn. 20:27-29). We are these blessed ones. Although we have never seen Jesus in his physical, glorified body, we still believe, and as a result, we rejoice with “an indescribable and glorious joy” (1 Peter 1:8). Our hope is not built in cloud castles. Jesus has given us his body, his blood, his Spirit—in short, his very self—as a reassurance that the nightmare world of sin and death is only a passing shadow. The kingdom of darkness is forever broken. The nightmare is fading, and the light is coming through.