John 20:29 (ESV)
Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Jesus had appeared to different ones to bring the reality of the good news. The marvelous report has reached many of his disciples during this week after he was risen. We would have thought it was suffice to make a great impression on all. But not for Thomas, one of his closest whom the encounter took place eighth day post resurrection.
Some of us are just like Thomas who demands the tangible evidence before we believe. After all, this is a world of scientific evidence and endorsement. We live by facts, statistics and logic. We buy into ideologies that can prove to us. Did God show us the evidence? Did he prove it to Thomas?
I was crossing over to young adulthood when I was confronted with the gospel. I saw a long line of divide of what I desire with the knowledge I had which must be supported by facts and reasoning. The scriptures were opened to me to enlighten me. In order to cross over that divide, I required faith. Faith. I didn’t have the full vision. I decided to jump over with that small portion
of faith at that border. I did not have the full picture of the whole truth except the bible tells me Jesus died for me because God loves me!
God allows us to see and touch him in various ways as we travel Faith Highway. Just as doubting Thomas was shown his marks of crucifixion so that he could fully believe, we’ve been allowed into the secrets of God at some point of our journey. He let us in. He showed us some precious treasures. We marveled at the spectacular sight. We believe. Jesus reassured Thomas. Yet he gently rebuked him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
God in his goodness reveals himself to us. He brings reassurance again and again. Yet there must be always some room in our heart reserved for the unseen without comprising our belief. He highly commends such faith which is not based on sight, but complete trust in him anyway.
What else do you seek to see before you can fully believe he has an incredible future for us? What does it take for us to forgo our demands of more evidence of our Lord? Do not just look for signs and wonders. Look for the person. He is standing with us. Just as he said to Martha, “If you believe, you will see the glory of God.” (John 11:40) Martha’s pain would be unnecessary if she chose to believe God is alive and active in every situation. In our pain, make room for Jesus. If we believe first instead of waiting to see then decide, we are in for many blessings. We move from the plane of mercy to the plane of glory.
Many blessings await us…especially the gift of his powerful yet gentle presence. Believe it or not?
“Father, I choose this day to believe. Help my unbelief. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
© Pr Selina Khoo Lim, Gateway City Church, Penang. 20 April 2020