JESUS SPEAKING
Then Thomas, called the twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 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 in to the print of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe. 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.”
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.”
And Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20: 24-29.)
INSPIRED THOUGHTS
Thomas, having heard all of the accounts of Jesus appearing to others after his resurrection, said that he would not believe unless he touched the holes in Jesus’ hands. So the Lord appeared to him and let him touch his wounds. Thomas fell to the ground and worshiped Jesus and said, “My Lord and my God!” Although Thomas came to believe, those who would come to believe in the resurrection and the gospel message without having laid eyes or hands on the resurrected Lord were going to be far happier and stronger in their faith than those who needed proof. The word ‘blessed’ means ‘happy,’ and so those who have a strong faith, are also those who are extremely joyful.
Early on in my experience as a Christian, I attempted to use my intellect, logic, and reasoning to grow closer to God (although our minds play a part, they are not to rule over us at the exclusion of our hearts.) As I began to understand that trust and faith in Jesus Christ were not things that could be attained by reason, my faith became stronger, and my joy began to increase. I needed less proof (although there is a lot of evidence) because it had been replaced with trust in Jesus Christ. As my trust in Jesus Christ grew, so did the smile on my face; as my faith increased, so I began to focus more and more on the eternity he has promised, and the hope of a future with the God that has created all things; in turn, the struggles of this life that bring most people down, seemed to become speed bumps and not mountains; they became ripples and not waves; the hope and faith in the future has not only made life bearable, but instead it has been conquered.
Today, you may yearn and desire proof; but you will not know the greatest happiness that comes from simply trusting Jesus Christ without having laid your eyes or your hands upon him. You can believe him when he says that he will return for you. You can know that right now, God is watching, and He has a future and hope for you, in an eternal kingdom. Your joy will increase, and your faith will be like a rock that cannot be moved. You will begin a new life filled with happiness and love that comes from the eternal God, living inside of your heart.
“Lord Heavenly Father we come before You and lift You up; You are just an awesome and mighty God. We ask that You help us to believe, not only with our minds, but with our hearts. Help us to trust in You, and to have faith in what we have not seen or touched. We want our joy to be complete, and we want to be blessed, so give us the faith of a child; and fill us with Your Holy Spirit. Help us to focus on Your eternal promise and the hope of the life to come. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you.
Jesus Speaks 