John 20:24-29 (NKJV) Seeing and Believing
24 Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” 26 And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” 27 Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” 28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Have you ever seen a great illusionist? I saw Lance Burton in Las Vegas. He made cars disappear and people appear. It was amazing. Do you think these things actually evaporated? No, it was just an illusion.
In today’s Scripture, we meet Thomas, the disciple a.k.a. Doubting Thomas. He was called doubting because he would not believe the Lord had risen unless he saw Jesus himself. Aren’t we like that too? You would think Jesus would be angry with Thomas for doubting, wouldn’t you? Instead, Jesus showed such patience that He gave Thomas everything he needed to believe. And what happened? Thomas declared “My Lord and my God!” The doubter had now become an exuberant believer! Now Thomas would declare the raising of Jesus to everyone with whom he came in contact. He was on fire. Isn’t that the way it is with most of us? We are skeptical at first and that is a good thing. We need to make sure things are what they are purported to be. But once we are sure, we excitedly take that information to anyone who will listen.
What about you? Are you excited? Are you willing to take the message out to anyone who will listen? That takes a special person. Sort of like the one God created when he created you. You see, Jesus told us that we were to go and make disciples of all nations. And one thing I know about Him is that He equips each of us with everything we need to accomplish our destiny. He asks you to tell others why you love Him and why He loves you. So why does He love you? Is there something special about you? Yes there is! You are a child of the Most High God made in His image and likeness. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. You are His Masterpiece. But why do you love Him? He taught us how to love. I love Him because He is the only One who has never let me down. I love Him because He gave everything for me! I love Him because He taught me how to love. Scripture says we love because He first loved us. His love for us is perfect.
With that in mind, how shall we love others? Should we not share the love of Christ with them? That is what He calls us to do! You are probably afraid. What will you say? In Ephesians 6:19, Paul asks that you “19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel”. Don’t worry! The Spirit will lead you. And you may get lucky and only have to set an example. Either way, He will be with you. So go, make disciples of all nations.
Lord, Thank You for loving us! You gave everything to show us all what we mean to You. Help us to show the world what you mean to us! Take away our fear of speaking about you. Strengthen our resolve. Start a revival and let it begin with each of us. In Your name we pray!