Day 39, On The Road To Pentecost: UNLESS I SEE

John 20:24-29

Thomas is a man for our times.  In his heart of hearts he simply could not believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  This kind of thing simply didn’t happen in the world, and even though some of his most trusted associates said they had seen Jesus alive, He just could not bring himself to believe.  It was not until Jesus personally revealed himself to Thomas that Thomas believed.

Upon Thomas’ confession of faith Jesus said something that we really do need to pay attention to in our day, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed?  Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed” (vs. 29).  What are we to make of these words from the Savior?  

Thomas had to see before he could believe.  I get that.  I even appreciate the fact that he jumped to no conclusion.  However, his heart was such that when he saw Jesus he could not and would not deny the facts; and he believed.  Today, we don’t have the advantage of having a first-hand experience of the physical, post crucifixion, body of Christ.  We are dependent on Scripture and the truthfulness of the first generation of believers. Furthermore, we are dependent upon the Holy Spirit of God to bear witness in our hearts that Jesus lives.  So, Jesus said, “Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.”

Followers of Christ ask non-believers to believe something that may be too difficult for them to grasp, and when they baulk, we ought to be too hard on them.  Instead, we ought to pray that somehow, someway, God will work in their hearts so that they will come to believe.  After all, the Holy Spirit is at work in the world, and no one can come to the Father unless the Father draws them (see John 6:44).  So, don’t get discouraged.  Pray. Trust. Live the life of a true follower of Jesus.  Be a testimony that people simply can’t ignore.  The Holy Spirit uses His people in ways they will most likely never understand.  Trust Him.  He is trustworthy.  For over two thousand years now, He has drawn people into His heart.  Trust Him.

Never underestimate the power of the Holy Spirit to change the human heart.  Ask Saul of Tarsus or C. S. Lewis or Charles Colson.  They will tell you of what God can do.  Today, we are more blessed even than Thomas, says Jesus, because we believe even though we have never had the advantage of seeing Him in person.  

My faith has found a resting place 

not in device nor creed: 

I trust the ever-living One – 

His wounds for me shall plead. 

I need no other argument; 

I need no other plea. 

It is enough that Jesus died, 

and that He died for me 

                     Lidie H. Edmunds, ca. 1891

God is at work.  Trust the Holy Spirit.