Our society is ridden with brokenness and sadness, and of course, in the midst of success, joy, and celebrations. But in the midst of the celebrations, there are tears of darkness somewhere. Some are straight darkness of unspeakable and despicable darkness and violence, and sadness. People do want to be better, and many books have been written to get better. However, many asked how? In the Bible Thomas was told that his other friends have seen the risen Christ, the Lord. Thomas is one of the twelve apostles personally trained and coached by Jesus himself. And he demanded proof after the resurrection of Jesus.

John 20: ²⁶ A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” ²⁷ Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” ²⁸ Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”²⁹ Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Thomas says I will not believe it until I see the hands of Christ with the hole in there. Ethics didn’t change Thomas. He has heard all the ethics teachings of Jesus’ teachings, but that doesn’t change him about the death of Jesus and resurrection of Jesus. What changed him is he met with the risen Jesus who spoke to him “Put your finger here, see my hands.”

Ethics don’t change hearts. But the resurrection gives hope. The hope that transforms the down trodden gives them the hope of an eternity coming. It will be so much more powerful than what the world has seen or heard. It’s the hope that matters. So religion with ethics on what you should do can never give you the hope in life, but Christianity with the risen Christ gives you the hope you look for all your life.