Signs of Faith

“Signs of Faith”

John 20: 19-31

            Jesus first appeared to the disciples while they were together in a

locked room. However, not all the disciples were there. Thomas was doing something else but joined these friends later on that night. The disciples lived with fear from the Jews but when Jesus appeared he breathed on them and offered to them peace. They were overjoyed to see Jesus and were amazed as they looked at his hands, feet and side. He was truly alive.

He spoke with them for a while and left.

            Thomas joined the disciples and they told them about seeing Jesus but because he was not there he did not believe Jesus was really alive. Yes he had witnessed Jesus’ miracles, healing and listened to him speak for three years. But to believe that he was alive after dying such a cruel death- this pushed Thomas to the limit. He is named “Doubting Thomas” but he could also be complaining to the disciples that he felt left out, angry at Jesus for coming when he was not there and says that he would not believe without physical proof. Up until this time, this is what he had witnessed. Jesus doing something amazing and he had witnessed it. “Until I put my hands in his hands, touch his side, I will not believe it.”

            Thomas was able to do just that a week later when Jesus returned and visited with the disciples. He saw him, touched him and believed. And it is Jesus’ words that remind us all that Thomas needed to physically see Jesus to believe. Jesus says blessed are those who believe without seeing.

            Decades after these words were written, the last disciple died- those who had seen Jesus physically alive. Yet Jesus story continues to be shared- because of faith. How faithful are you to believe in Jesus’ death and resurrection? Are you telling others to have faith and believe?

PRAYER

Loving God we thank you that Jesus is alive and that through faith we have renewed our joy in Him. We often have doubts and are uncertain in our faith journey and so we pray that you would show us the way to believe again that Christ died for us so that we might have new life. Help us to stop doubting and believe. We ask in Jesus’ name for He is the Risen Christ. Amen.

           

BLOG QUESTION:

Thomas needed to touch Jesus to believe that Jesus rose from death. Hundreds of years have passed since Jesus lived, died and rose from death. Our faith tells us that he is alive. What calls you to believe this? What are the signs of your faith that would indicate to others that you believe in Christ’s resurrection?