Stop Doubting and Believe
“A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though 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; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." - John 20: 26-27
The disciples were locked in the room. They were afraid of the Jews. They were concerned that they, too, would be arrested, tried and crucified. I can imagine how they felt. Their whole world had been turned upside down. Jesus had called them to a life of service, He taught them. He calmed their fears. He feed them. He led them. He comforted them. He was always there for them.
How suddenly He was gone. Would they be next? Fear, anger, worry and frustration must have filled that room as they talked of the future. Suddenly Jesus came and stood among them. He did not knock. He did not pass through the wall. He appeared among them. Oh how the disciples must have rejoiced. He was there again – to teach, to calm, to feed, to lead, to comfort, to be there for them. Their hearts burst with joy.
Then He left, but the feelings of joy lasted. They wanted to share their story. Thomas came and the other disciples shared the good news – Jesus appeared to them!
Thomas reacted with, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.”
I can relate to Thomas. Whenever I hear news that I have been waiting for, news that is unexpected, or news that seems too good to be true, my first instinct is unbelief. “You are kidding,” seems to be the most common response to the good news. I want to see for myself, I want to have it confirmed.
Jesus appeared to Thomas. Jesus knew that Thomas needed to see for himself, needed to have the news confirmed. Thomas believed.
The Good News is still as unbelievable today as it was then – Jesus is risen! He has conquered sin, death and the power of Satan. He lives! He is here with us now – today – even as we read this! He is concerned about us – He loves us – He still calls us to a life of service. He still teaches us. He still calms our fears. He still feeds us with His body and blood. He still leads us. He still comforts us. He is there for us – now and always.
We may turn from Him, but He never leaves us. Thomas touched the Lord. We touch the Lord through His Word –the Bible. Thomas heard Jesus talk to him. We hear Jesus talk us today – through the words He spoke to Thomas. He told Thomas and He tells us, “Stop doubting and believe.”
Prayer: Thank you Jesus for being there for us – now and always. Amen.
The disciples were locked in the room. They were afraid of the Jews. They were concerned that they, too, would be arrested, tried and crucified. I can imagine how they felt. Their whole world had been turned upside down. Jesus had called them to a life of service, He taught them. He calmed their fears. He feed them. He led them. He comforted them. He was always there for them.
How suddenly He was gone. Would they be next? Fear, anger, worry and frustration must have filled that room as they talked of the future. Suddenly Jesus came and stood among them. He did not knock. He did not pass through the wall. He appeared among them. Oh how the disciples must have rejoiced. He was there again – to teach, to calm, to feed, to lead, to comfort, to be there for them. Their hearts burst with joy.
Then He left, but the feelings of joy lasted. They wanted to share their story. Thomas came and the other disciples shared the good news – Jesus appeared to them!
Thomas reacted with, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.”
I can relate to Thomas. Whenever I hear news that I have been waiting for, news that is unexpected, or news that seems too good to be true, my first instinct is unbelief. “You are kidding,” seems to be the most common response to the good news. I want to see for myself, I want to have it confirmed.
Jesus appeared to Thomas. Jesus knew that Thomas needed to see for himself, needed to have the news confirmed. Thomas believed.
The Good News is still as unbelievable today as it was then – Jesus is risen! He has conquered sin, death and the power of Satan. He lives! He is here with us now – today – even as we read this! He is concerned about us – He loves us – He still calls us to a life of service. He still teaches us. He still calms our fears. He still feeds us with His body and blood. He still leads us. He still comforts us. He is there for us – now and always.
We may turn from Him, but He never leaves us. Thomas touched the Lord. We touch the Lord through His Word –the Bible. Thomas heard Jesus talk to him. We hear Jesus talk us today – through the words He spoke to Thomas. He told Thomas and He tells us, “Stop doubting and believe.”
Prayer: Thank you Jesus for being there for us – now and always. Amen.