Let’s talk about John 20!
After Jesus’ death and resurrection from the dead, He appeared to His disciples; all of them were present except Thomas. He showed them His wounds in His hands and side. After this occurred, the 11 disciples went back and told Thomas that Jesus had appeared to them. Thomas stated he wouldn’t believe until he saw the wounds in Jesus’ hands, put his fingers into them, and placed his hand into the wound in His side. So Jesus appeared to Thomas instructing him to look at His wounds, place his finger in His hands and place his hand into the wound in His side. After Thomas had done so, Jesus told him to not be faithless any longer but to believe.
Thomas was much like you and I are today. Despite the testimony of 11 people that he had walked closely with while they followed Jesus, he still needed to see things for himself. But seeing the wounds wasn’t even good enough for Thomas. He wanted to see them, put his fingers in the ones in His hands, and put his hands in the one in His side. Thomas had a faith problem just like you and I have had at least once in our lifetime. Hebrews chapter eleven verse one describes faith as the reality of things we hope for and the evidence of things we cannot yet see. Thomas, like us, desired the evidence in order to believe. The interesting point behind this scene is that Jesus had foretold the disciples that they would see Him again (John 16). So not only did Thomas doubt what the disciples said, He doubted the Word that Jesus, Himself, had given him.
Can you relate to Thomas? Have you ever experienced a lack of faith? Are you currently experiencing a lack of faith? Do you believe God’s promises and words alone? Or do you need proof in order to believe? Are you doubting the words and promises that God has given you because you cannot see anything within the physical realm?
Friend, there will be times within your walk with Christ that you will not be able to see anything moving in the physical realm. There will be times when it appears that nothing is working out for your good within the physical realm. There will be times when it appears that everything is coming up against you in the physical realm. These are the types of times that you will have to live by faith alone. These are the types of times that you will have to say, “Lord, I don’t see anything happening, but I know you’re working things according to Your good and perfect will; Lord, I don’t know how You’re going to do it, but I know you’re a way maker; Lord, I am yet hoping for it, and I am standing on your words”.
Consider verse 29 as your source of encouragement. It reads, “Then Jesus told him, ‘You believe because you have seen Me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing Me’”. In other words, blessed are the people who have FAITH! Let your faith speak to Him for you during times when you cannot see His manifestations within the physical realm. Stand firm on God’s words as they have to come to pass.
Read, dissect and meditate on John 20: 19-29.
Real Talk with Keve 