Be Not Faithless But Believing - Part 657

Because of His great love for us, our Lord God became our Saviour. It is He that is rich in mercy. In fact, He made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our transgressions.The greatest love story ever told in that we are saved by His grace. (Ephesians 2:4-5) Not of works. Not of our own doing -- lest any man should boast -- but because the same God who loved us from the very beginning still loved us enough to shed His precious holy blood on the cross for our sins. 

David, in Psalms 17 wrote, "Show the wonder of Your great love, You who save by Your right hand those who take refuge in You from their foes." In yet another Psalm, "For great is Your love Lord, reaching to the heavens. Your faithfulness reaching to the skies."(Psalms 103:11)

Perhaps, this is why Thomas (also referred to as Doubting Thomas) was not going to take anyone else's word for it that Jesus had risen from the dead. Indeed, the man that he was wanted to see Jesus firsthand -- witness Jesus personally for himself. The account of Thomas' innermost desire to see Jesus is recorded in John chapter 20. It is telling. 

Herein, Jesus had just risen from the dead. It was the first day of the week and Mary Magdalene who also loved Jesus had discovered that the stone from the tomb had been taken away. She told Peter and "that other disciple" that the Lord had been removed from the sepulcher. When the two arrived at the sepulcher they saw the linen clothes. But they also noticed that the napkin that was formerly about Jesus' head was wrapped together in a place by itself.

Standing there at the entrance to the sepulcher, Mary wept. As we know, Jesus is touched by our infirmities. Jesus appearing at the entrance to the tomb said unto her, "Mary, touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father, but go to my brethren and say unto them, "I ascend unto my Father and your Father; and to my God and your God."

The same day at evening (still being the first day of the week) Jesus appeared to the disciples. They were assembled for fear of the Jews. There was Jesus standing in the midst. Jesus said, "Peace be unto you." He showed the disciples His hands and His side. Needless to say, the disciples were glad to see the Lord Jesus.

Jesus then said to them, "Peace be unto you; as my Father hath sent Me, even so I send you." (John 20:21-23) Having said this, Jesus breathed on them saying, "Receive you the Holy Ghost: whosoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whosoever sins ye retain, they are retained."

Another passing of the torch to the disciples. It all seemed straightforward. The prophesies of the coming Christ in the Old Testament had been fulfilled once and for all. Jesus was to ascend to the Father -- as the scriptures state -- so that the Comforter -- who would lead and guide us -- could come. 

All well and good. That is, until Thomas -- one of the twelve -- ventured along. When the other disciples told Thomas (called Didymus) that they had seen Jesus, well, he doubted their account.  "We have seen the Lord," they exclaimed. But Thomas responded, saying that "except I shall see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into His side, I will not believe." (John 20:25-31) 

For eight days, we are left wondering what Thomas is thinking. His disciples were once again within the place as before but this time Thomas was with them. The doors were shut. There in the midst stood Jesus. "Peace be unto you," He said. 

Then He said unto Thomas -- knowing Thomas' voiced concerns, "Reach hither thy finger, and behold My hands and thrust it into My side and be not faithless but believing."

What do you think Thomas was thinking? That's right. Thomas had received a revelation that could only be revealed by our Lord God and Saviour. Seeing Jesus Thomas said, "My Lord and my God." There was no doubt in Thomas' mind about who Jesus was. He had seen Jesus for himself and knew immediately that Jesus was the prophesied Christ. Jesus -- our Lord God and Saviour. The Alpha and Omega -- the beginning and the end. The Word in the flesh. 

After this, Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which were never recorded in the scriptures. But the examples that were written are so that we might also believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God -- the only begotten of the Father -- God in the flesh -- and that in believing we might have life through His precious name. Praise Jesus today. Stand in the offering plate.