Believing is seeing!

John 20:24-29 NLT

One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came. [25] They told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he replied, "I won't believe it unless I see the nail wounds in His hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in His side." [26] Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. "Peace be with you," He said. [27] Then He said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and look at My hands. Put your hand into the wound in My side. Don't be faithless any longer. Believe!" [28] "My Lord and my God!" Thomas exclaimed. [29] Then Jesus told him, "You believe because you have seen Me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing Me."

We've all heard the saying: "Seeing is believing", haven't we?

In a material world, we want something tangible - something we can see with our eyes, touch with our hands and hear with our own ears.

Thomas was a man like that - very grounded, a little sceptical and above all practical.

He probably was a little disparaging of the other followers, as he didn't believe them, when they told him that they'd seen Jesus.

He probably thought it was wishful thinking.

He wanted concrete proof for himself. He wasn't going to take the news on trust.

Thomas had to wait 8 days, but Jesus came to him and quoted the very words that he had stated a week before.

How it must have struck Thomas and cut him to the heart to hear what Jesus said - proving that, although Jesus wasn't physically present, He had heard Thomas's "declaration of doubt".

In the event, Thomas didn't need to examine Jesus' scars, he was so awestruck by His Presence and worshipped Him.

What about our own encounters with Jesus? Do we long for a physical glimpse of the Risen Lord to quash any lingering doubts?

As Jesus announced, we are so blessed because we believe WITHOUT seeing.

With us, "believing is seeing"!

The Precious Holy Spirit reveals Jesus in a way that we know beyond doubt that Jesus is alive and that His Promises are true.

Hear again what Jesus said to Thomas and know that you are truly blessed:

"You believe because you have seen Me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing Me!"