“But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, 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 the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”” John 20:24-25
Doubting Thomas. “Unless I see with my own eyes, I will not believe.”
Maybe it is just coincidence that my middle name is Thomas. The story is that I was named Thomas so I could carry my dad’s name without being a junior. But, I often wonder how much God played a part in my naming. God knows our very nature. ““Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.” Jeremiah 1:5
Doubting Thomas. That is who I am. “Unless I see with my own eyes, I will not believe.”
For years people told me of God and His love. I was taught of the great glory of God and His Mercy. But, I didn’t see it, so, I didn’t believe. Friends who had my best interest at heart told me of how far God had come to seek me. I didn’t see, I didn’t believe.
Then, I encountered Jesus myself. The Passion of the Christ broke my hard heart. When I saw that movie, saw what Jesus had done for me. Not for all, I knew this Passion and death He suffered was for me alone. When I saw, I wept. I wept because I saw how hard of heart I had been for all those past 35 years. I wept because I saw and believed.
When the movie ended, I walked to the car and sat in the driver’s seat, speechless for long moments. My wife asked, “are you ok? What did you think?” I wept as I cried out, “my Lord and my God.”
It took Jesus stepping through the locked door of my heart and reaching my fingers into His wounds. I saw and believed.
“Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” John 20:27-29
Does it take seeing for you to believe? Close your eyes and leap. Just believe!! Just believe and you will see greater things.
Declare with those of us who are Doubting Thomas’s, “My Lord and my God!”
“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” John 20:29