Doubts Erased

 

I’m trying to think what it would have been like for the disciples when Jesus died and was put in a tomb. He promised them that would not be the end, but we are creatures that tend to want proof for everything. They were no different. Then . . .

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. (John 20:19–20)

One of them was not there. Thomas is called the doubter, yet the others didn’t believe either — until they saw Jesus . . .

Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” (John 20:24–25)

Thomas was no different than the others except that he was not with them behind locked doors, which may indicate that he was not as fearful of the Jews as they were. Whatever the reason, he wanted proof also and Jesus gave it to him.

Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although 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, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:26–28)

He didn’t need to put his hands on Jesus’ wounds. All he needed was one glimpse of the risen Christ and he believed and declared his faith.

After those appearances and after Jesus was taken up into heaven, there would be no physical sightings. Faith would happen, but not by seeing. Jesus predicted it:

Jesus said to (Thomas), “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29) 

What makes faith possible when our eyes have no proof? Two things. One, we need to hear the good news:

How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:14–17, italics mine)

The second is that the hearing is not mere noise but comes to us as a gift from the Lord. He says,

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8–9, italics mine)

Somehow, the Word of Christ is imparted as a gift wrapped in faith. We are told to receive it, yet it is God who gives it. Not everyone who hears the gospel receives it in faith, yet the NT is clear — faith is a gift, an inheritance, received by the final will and testament of our God who died that we might gain all that He has and is. We call it grace, and rejoice in it, know it is true and that Jesus is alive, yet we shake our heads at the wonder of it! Our grief for sin and our hopelessness is replaced with unceasing joy and indescribable peace with God.

PRAY: Lord, so often You affirm my faith by letting me see footsteps where You have walked and worked, yet that is not the same as seeing You. However, the promise I have is that the pure in heart will see God. For that, I ask You to never stop working to purify my heart and cleanse me from all that is not like You. Keep my eyes focused on the written record of Your glory, and the fact that You are with me and hear my prayers, and keep me in fellowship with Your people in whom I also see evidence of Your handiwork. I am thankful for the presence of Your Spirit, the power of Your Word, and the fellowship of Your people.

READ Luke 24:13–35. Why didn’t the two disciples recognize Jesus? How did Jesus change their doubts to hope?