DO YOU BELIEVE?
Eight days later, the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed. Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”
John 20:26-29 (NLT)
Thomas was a follower of Jesus who was not present with Jesus’ disciples when He first revealed Himself after He had risen from the dead. Thomas witnessed Jesus’ crucifixion, but he had not seen Jesus alive until this encounter described by John. It’s understandable that Thomas was having a hard time believing that Jesus had actually risen from the dead.
Sometimes it can be challenging to believe that Jesus rose from the dead and is truly alive today when we can’t see Him physically. I didn’t see Jesus die with my own eyes, and I didn’t see Him physically walking around after He was dead for a few days. Just as Jesus recognized the doubt Thomas was feeling, He also recognizes the difficulty we have with believing something we cannot physically see.
Jesus wasn’t disturbed by the questions Thomas had. He invited Thomas to examine and touch the wounds in Jesus’ hands and side, encouraging Thomas to physically see that Jesus was alive. Though Jesus affirms the blessing we experience when we trust in Him with childlike faith, He also welcomes our exploration of the evidence of His reality.
The prophecies fulfilled in Jesus, the many eyewitnesses who saw Jesus die and be raised from the dead, the changed lives of those who saw Jesus alive, and a wealth of other evidence strengthen our faith that Jesus is truly the Son of God.
Do you believe that Jesus is raised from the dead and alive today? Why?
APPLICATION: If you or someone you know has questions about the reality of Jesus’ resurrection, follow Thomas’ example and explore the evidence. Books like More Than a Carpenter or The Case for Christ can be a great start.
PRAYER: Father, thank You for understanding any doubts I have about You. Strengthen my trust in You and show me evidence that reassures me of Your resurrection and reality. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?