John 20: 24-31
Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But he said to them, “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.”
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.”
Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
Then Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
A Thought
Have you ever met anyone who just refused to believe in God? I’ll admit it is hard to imagine that anyone would love me enough to send their perfect son to die in my place while I was guilty of wrongdoing. But this is what God did for each of us. This is what John is trying to tell us–to believe even though we cannot see, but that he and the disciples did see and now God has inspired them to testify so that other may believe. The more we read God’s word, the more faith we will receive to believe the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. If we believe we will be blessed because of the promise God has made to us through his Son that we may have life in his name.
Our Prayer
Father thank you for your great love for each of us that you gave your Son to pay our penalty for sin. Thank you that Jesus was resurrected from the dead and we who believe will be resurrected with him to eternal life with you. Thank you that your word is truth and you are faithful to honor your word. Awaken us by the power of your Holy Spirit as we read your word to a greater faith to grow in you. We ask in Jesus’ name, amen.
