Easter is over. Christ is Risen. Many along the road have seen Him and stories of His resurrection are rampant. Word is spreading – fast. Jesus had appeared to the disciples already but Thomas wasn’t present the first time that Jesus was with them. Days later, Jesus appeared again ahead of His ascension. But this time, Thomas was there.
Now others had told Thomas that Christ had risen from the dead but Thomas didn’t believe. In fact, Thomas was quite clear that he wouldn’t believe unless he was able to see the nail marks himself, as well as place his hand in the wounded side of Jesus. Today was his chance. Jesus was among them.
When Jesus entered the room, He instructed Thomas to touch His hands and His side. Thomas was shocked. Jesus then said that Thomas only believed because he had seen the wounds himself. But Jesus then did something interesting. He told Thomas that those who believed without seeing were blessed…
In case you haven’t thought about this yet, that means that you and I are blessed – by Jesus! That’s right – because not one of us living today has seen Jesus and put our hands in His wounds. Yet, we believe. That’s more than Thomas could say, isn’t it? And we are blessed for it!
So countless millions of people around the world for almost 2000 years have been blessed by the words of Jesus to Thomas that day He met with the disciples. The path to belief is not necessarily an easy one. In fact, who among us may have reacted the same way that Thomas did when he wanted to deny the fact that Jesus was alive? Even though we have the Bible and all the evidences of the existence of Jesus, at some point in the process we must suspend our dependence on physical evidence and take a step of faith – that’s the only way to true belief.
Anyone who really accepts the premise that Jesus lived, died and rose again must take that step – or leap – and bet their eternal life on their hope in the promises of Jesus and His Father. I think that’s what Jesus was trying to teach Thomas – all things are not explained when it comes to the ways of God.
Our verse for this evening includes the words that Jesus spoke to Thomas during that surprise visit after the resurrection. From John 20:29, “Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” My encouragement this evening is that Jesus wants all of us to believe – that’s why He died for us – for everyone! My prayer is that you won’t be a doubting Thomas and that you can take that step from physical evidence to passionate belief. And if you already have, then your eternal life has already begun! Have a great day in the Lord, grace and peace…