Are there some things about Jesus Christ that you find too hard to believe? Perhaps you have said the same thing that has sometimes been said to me, “Why doesn't Jesus appear to us today, and then we will believe!”
Do you think the people who saw and heard Jesus found it easier than you and me to believe the things He said? This true story about one of Jesus’ disciples shows that even they found it hard to believe all about Jesus. But Jesus has something special to say about people who have faith in Him today!
After Jesus’ resurrection “Thomas, one of the twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. When the other disciples told him that they had seen the Lord, he declared, ‘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.’”
Thomas had seen Jesus do miracle after miracle, and had heard Him say that He was going to rise from the dead after three days - and yet he could not believe that Jesus really was alive from the dead!
So if you have some doubts about Jesus, it is not something new, or something that only affects people of the 21st century!
“A week later the 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.’” (verses 26-27.)
Thomas wasn’t as hard to convince as he had said he would be! He didn’t have to feel those wounds for himself! “Thomas said to Him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ (verse 28.)
“Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not recorded... But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.” (verses 30-31.)
Jesus’ miracles before He died were wonderful proofs that He was the Christ, the Son of God. But His resurrection from the dead can leave us in no doubt, and with no excuse, for not believing He is indeed the Christ of God.
Jesus said to Thomas, “Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (verse 29.)
Are YOU one of those people whom Jesus said is “blessed”? Have you come to believe that Jesus really is the Christ, the Saviour God sent to us from Heaven? You haven’t really trusted in Christ IF you are still depending on the words and actions of religious men, or on the sacraments to save you?
To really BELIEVE IN the unseen Jesus Christ means you allow no-one or no thing to take His place. All those who ask Jesus Himself in faith to be their Priest and Saviour are blessed and receive Eternal Life in His name.
Read about this great blessing in John's Gospel chapter 20, verses
24-31.
John Nixon, Cork, Ireland. P31HD98. Contact: jnixonj@gmail.com
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