Nov 4. John 20. Tony Millet

Seeing Is Believing

There's a saying among skeptics, "seeing is believing". I say it's familiar to skeptics because typically disbelief is the norm until there is visual confirmation of the alleged facts. 

On the Sunday after Jesus' crucifixion, Mary, Peter, and John (we assume this is the disciple that outran Peter to the tomb) all had some kind of evidence presented to them proving Jesus' resurrection. Peter and John had the empty tomb and the linen burial cloth that remained in the tomb. From that evidence, John "saw and believed" (v. 8). Mary got to see the resurrected Jesus when he revealed himself to her at the tomb. She was so convinced that she ran to tell the other disciples that she had seen the Lord.

Later that evening Jesus appeared to the other disciples. When they saw his hands and side they also believed.

Unfortunately, Thomas wasn't there that day. Wonder why? Regardless of the reason, he wasn't there to see the resurrected Jesus as the rest did. Could you imagine missing that meeting of the body? As the other disciples began to testify to Thomas that they had seen Jesus raised from the dead, he was in the unique position of needing to rely on the testimony of the disciples instead of first hand experience. He had to believe what he himself had not seen. He had to have faith. 

Even though he had multiple eyewitnesses, that wasn't enough for him to believe Jesus had risen. Thomas was a skeptic. His default state of mind was disbelief until he could visually confirm the facts. 

Are you a skeptic? I know I certainly can be. It's hard for me to believe without seeing. I ask God for greater faith on a daily basis. I ask him to be able to see the unseen and believe the unbelievable. 

Amazingly, Jesus made another ‘guest appearance’ specifically to help Thomas believe. That encourages me. I’m inspired by the brothers and sisters who are blessed by believing without seeing. But in those times when my faith is lacking, I hold on to this example of when Jesus went out of his way to show himself to a skeptic. Because if he showed himself to Thomas, he can show himself to me - and you!