“Until then, they hadn’t realized that the Scriptures said he would rise from the dead” (John 20:9 nlt). A major problem for people who have never seen the green flash is not knowing what to look for. It was Sunday, January 29, 2006 – Moss Beach. I thought it was a myth. I had heard about it; I had looked for it, but I had never seen it.  Like Peter, I am glad I wasn’t alone or I am not sure I would have believed it. I, for sure, would have doubted it later on. But there were other people there – they saw it, too, so I know it is true. I clearly saw the green flash at sunset at the beach!
Still, when I tell others, I can see their excitement – something in us wants to believe it is true. But I can also see their guarded truth. Some say, “I have never heard of that.” Others: “Oh yeah?” (Somewhat optimistic but skeptical at the same time.) Then there are those who embrace it and rush to the beach to see for themselves.
When Thomas hears Jesus is risen from the dead he is guarded, refusing even to toy with the idea – he would not have been one of those heading to the beach at sunset.  Thomas won’t embrace the possibility until the Jesus reaches out to him first, where he can touch him. That’s what it will take to dispel the myth. That’s what Jesus does:
Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe! . . .You believe because you have seen me” (vs. 27,29)
Thomas embraces the unbelievable. the Risen Savior Jesus.  Today the Lord of Life reaches beyond Thomas to the place where your heart and mine lack trust, faith, hope and says: “Blessed are those who haven’t seen me and believe anyway” (v. 29).
You may never in this lifetime see the green flash. I only did on this one rare occasion because, though I had never seen, I was looking.  I had indeed put some measure of hope, some weight of faith in the reports I had heard.
Whose witness do you need before you will put new hope in Jesus? Perhaps today, this Resurrection Sunday you might have just enough hope to open your eyes to the hand Jesus is extending toward you.
“Jesus’ disciples saw him do many other miraculous signs besides the ones recorded in this book. But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life” (vs. 30)
Once you know what to look for, you will find that green flashes are amazingly believable. After the resurrection the disciples knew what to look for and found new life embracing the reasons to believe.