I Need to See It to Believe It!
Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”
Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
John 20:24-29
I have never been to Paris, but I do believe there is an Eiffel tower. I have also seen the replica in Las Vegas. Have you believed because you have seen the Eiffel tower?
I have never been to Nepal or Tibet, but I do believe there is a Mount Everest. I have also seen videos of hikers at the summit. Have you believed because you have seen Mount Everest?
I have never been inside the White House, but I do believe there is an oval office. I have also seen videos of presidents signing important letters at the Resolute desk. Have you believed because you have seen the oval office?
Thomas was not with the others when Jesus first appeared to them. He hadn’t seen the Risen Christ, like the other guys and gals. Worst yet, they couldn’t Facetime Thomas when Jesus appeared. Thomas said, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”
So, Jesus did something remarkable. Eight days later, Thomas is with the others behind locked doors. Jesus appears to all of them but directs his attention to Thomas and invited him to look at and even touch his wounds. Thomas immediately responds not with touching, but with praising, “My Lord and my God!”
Did you get that? Thomas didn’t need to touch Jesus, just like we don’t need to touch the base of the Eiffel tower, or the summit of Everest. Thomas didn’t need to put his hand in Jesus’ side, just like we don’t need to put our hands on the Resolute desk.
Thomas saw Jesus Risen and he believed. When you are in the presence of Jesus nothing else matters.
Jesus now responds to Thomas and to us. “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Sometimes in our pain and sorrow and hurt we are unable to bring ourselves to Jesus, so Jesus comes to us just like He did with Thomas. Jesus comes to us in His WORD and Jesus comes to us in His Supper. We will receive both this Sunday. How can we respond … well I think Thomas nailed it.
“My Lord and my God!”
See you Sunday as we continue to celebrate the Greatest Comeback Ever!
I can't wait,
Austin
