“Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” ~ John 20:29
REFERENCE:
In His omniscience, Jesus used the exact words Thomas used in His absence – “Unless I see…put my finger and hand…” Although physically absent, Jesus’ spirit was there when Thomas spoke. He used Thomas’ exact words to convict him of his unbelief and hardness of heart; by this, Thomas would know that He was the Lord, having accurately discerned his inner thoughts.
The displeasure of Jesus with Thomas was his inability to believe in the reality of things not seen, but more so, that he did not believe the report of those who had seen and experienced that which he had not. He was an empirical and scientific guy, but as good as these qualities are, they often become a roadblock to our walk with God. For Thomas, seeing is believing.
Thomas’ sensory perception governed him; it must be discernible for him to believe it. He needed to see Jesus, maybe sniff the spikenard perfume on Him, hear His voice, see the scars, but more importantly, put his hands in the nail print and scar on Jesus’ side. Thomas’ principle is, “See before you believe;” however, God says, “Believe before you see.” Jesus said this latter approach earns a blessing. If your senses rule you, satan will manipulate your emotions.
Hebrews says, “Faith is the evidence of things not seen…” In other words, there is evidence that things not seen exist. Evidence shares the same root with ‘video’ and ‘is seen’ in Latin. So, Hebrews means that what I don’t see is visible in the faith realm, and if I can believe that it exists in that unseen realm, I will eventually see it. It is the only way to please God and receive from Him.
Are you waiting to see a physical sign before you believe God will do what you desire? God says, believe first, and you will see it. A Sunday school song says, “You will never get Abraham’s blessings with the Thomas-kind-of-faith…Your ‘mountain’ will remain if you have to see it first, hear it or touch it or taste…” Can you express your faith in unseen realities now and begin to thank God for answers before they manifest? Blessed are those who have not seen but believe.
PHOTO QUOTE
ADDITIONAL TEXTS:
Hebrews 11:1-6, Hebrews 11:27, and I Peter 1:8
PRAYER:
+ Lord, help my faith to believe in the reality of the things You have prepared for me in the unseen realm.
+ I refuse to be a ‘slave’ to my five senses. Help me to switch on my ‘faith’ sense as I engage with life.
+ I received answers to my expectations. I believe they are done, and so I give You thanks.
