Scripture Reading — John 20:24-29
Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came.
— John 20:24
I can understand Thomas’s doubt. For whatever reason, he wasn’t with the other disciples when Jesus first visited them after his resurrection, so he hadn’t seen Jesus firsthand. Maybe he should have taken the disciples’ word for it when they told him they had seen Jesus. Maybe he should have had more faith. Or maybe he was just an untrusting sort of person. Whatever the case, Thomas said he just couldn’t believe Jesus was alive until he saw Jesus for himself.
When Jesus came again and Thomas could see him, Jesus was patient with Thomas. Jesus even showed Thomas what he said he needed to see in order to believe. But Jesus also noted that all who believe without seeing him will be blessed.
Today that includes you and me. Belief without seeing is the nature of our faith most of the time. We probably won’t see Christ in person until we join him in eternity. Until then, though, we believe even though we have not seen.
We are called to have faith in Jesus for who he is, all he has done, and all he has promised. We believe because others have seen, because others have witnessed, and because their testimony is in God’s Word to us, along with all of God’s promises. We believe because the Spirit of God guides us into the truth of God’s Word and gives us faith (see John 16:7-15; Ephesians 2:6-10). And in believing we are blessed.
Lord, help us to believe even though we have not seen. By your Spirit, lead us to know the truth that brings life in you. Amen.
Written by: Bret Lamsma