Thursday, March 27, 2008
John 20:27-28 Then He said to Thomas, "Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing." And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!"
SIGNS OF THE RESURRECTION: THE NAIL WOUNDS
Once a week one of the local news programs airs a look-alike competition where they show two people who generally bear a close resemblance. It's amazing how many people there are who so strongly resemble one another. There are twins who are so much alike that parents and best friends have a hard time telling the difference between the twins.
When the disciples told Thomas they had seen Jesus, he may have thought they had seen a look-alike. He was so certain of Jesus' death that he wanted proof -- not only the proof of a living person -- but of a living person who had the marks of the crucifixion so that he could be sure that it was Jesus!
When Jesus appeared to the disciples a week later, He showed Thomas those signs of His resurrection: "Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing." These signs proved that it was Jesus Himself that was standing before them. He had the marks of the nails and the spear to prove that He had been crucified, that He had died, but was now most surely -- and unarguably -- alive.
In addition, John tells us that Jesus did many other signs to demonstrate the truth of His resurrection to them. But these signs have been recorded by the Holy Spirit to confirm your faith in the truth of the resurrection. Jesus is most certainly risen from the dead!
