WATCHWORD APRIL 2026

“Then Jesus told Thomas: Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

John 20,29

 

April in South Africa carries a gentle change. The heat of summer begins to soften. The light is different. The evenings grow cooler. It is a quieter season and it is at the beginning of this month that we celebrate Easter. The first week of April bursts with joy: Christ is risen! But after Easter Sunday, life settles again into its ordinary rhythm. The hymns are often less triumphant. And we move into the weeks of Easter joy, which is often a quieter, steadier celebration. Rightfully so. It is during this time that we hear Jesus’ words to Thomas. Thomas had not been present when the risen Lord first appeared to the disciples. When they told him, “We have seen the Lord,” he struggled to believe. His doubt was not stubborn rebellion. It was grief. He had seen Jesus die and he was afraid to hope again. A week later, Jesus came and stood among them, even though the doors were locked. He invited Thomas to see His hands and His side. And Thomas confessed, “My Lord and my God!”. Then Jesus said, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed”. Was Jesus perhaps speaking about us? We have not seen the risen Christ with our eyes. We were not in that locked room. And yet we believe. We confess the resurrection. We trust His promises. And Jesus calls that blessed. Many of us know what it is to live with locked doors of our own: fear of illness, concern about the future, grief for loved ones who are gone. Easter does not remove every fear or sorrow. The disciples were still afraid after the resurrection. But the risen Christ entered their fear. He stood in their midst and He spoke peace. He still does so today. In this quieter autumn month, as the year moves forward, we live not by sight but by faith. Our bodies may grow older and weaker, but faith does not depend on strength or sight. It depends on the promise of Christ. Until then, we live in Easter joy. Steady, confident, and hopeful. Trusting the risen Lord who says to us: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Amen.

Pastor Ingrid van Sittert