Many people say, “except I see Jesus, I will not believe.” These kinds of doubts cause many people to become an atheist or agnostic, while losing their chance to be saved. This is so unfortunate. Jesus is alive, having risen from the grave, but this truth is hard for many people to comprehend. Just like my neighbor who doesn’t believe that Jesus rose from the grave, Thomas also doubted. It is written, “but Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.” (John 20:24-26) Imagine the surprise when Thomas saw the living Christ appear to Him. His doubts were gone in that very instant, having Jesus appear to Him, and give Him peace for his weary soul.
Jesus showed Himself to Thomas and told him to not lose faith, nor disbelieve in Him. It was then that Thomas did acknowledge that Jesus is Lord and God, after seeing Him in person. He believed that Jesus rose from the grave because He saw Him. Jesus, however, said that we are more blessed if we believe in Him having never seen Him. Jesus said, “then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” (John 20:27-29) The truth is, many people have seen Jesus in our society but most have not. Blessed are those who continue to believe in Jesus, having never seen Him. Jesus atoned for our sins while on the cross, was buried, and then rose from the grave. This saying is true and faithful. Every person who would believe in and trust in Jesus shall be saved. God’s peace is with them. Amen.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that people will not lose faith in You. You are alive, Jesus, and I don’t need for You to appear to me in person to believe this fact. The Holy Spirit declares that You are alive, and this witness from above keeps my faith alive. I will also do what I can to keep Your faithful saying going strong. Which says, “blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” I needed to read this today, as I am sure millions of others would benefit from hearing this too. God, may your will be done in my life as it is in heaven. If people I know are doubting You in any way, may I know exactly what to say to them? Thank You for bringing two people onto my path this weekend. One person, who once went to church with me and is now an atheist, while another person believes that You are a real person, but did not rise from the grave. I could have been at the gym an hour earlier on Saturday, but it was more important to help my dear friend, who is an atheist, come to know You once again. The same happened today with my neighbor. Help them both come to true faith in You, Jesus. I love You. Amen.
Perhaps a child-like faith is a gift given to some and not to others. For me, Jesus is as real as if walking beside me. But, I met him at a young age.