Tuesday, May 1, 2018
John 20:25, 27 Thomas said, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe." . . . Jesus said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing."
"MY LORD AND MY GOD"
Thomas' mistake was one that's often made. He allowed his emotions to rule him. They were dragging him into unbelief! Thomas loved his Lord but Jesus' death had truly shaken him up! When Jesus came to His disciples on Easter evening Thomas wasn't with them. The others were overjoyed. They couldn't wait to tell Thomas the news: "Jesus is alive, He is risen! We have seen the Lord." But Thomas refused to believe!
The recent events had been devastating to Thomas. He had lost hope, his courage was gone. As he battled his doubts his faith was "teetering on the brink." With Jesus gone everything had changed, his world had been turned upside down! He wouldn't be satisfied just to see Jesus. He also wanted evidence he could feel.
Jesus could have left Thomas in his unbelief, but that's not why our Lord came. He desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. Jesus doesn't want anyone lost! A week later the disciples, along with Thomas, were gathered together. Jesus came to them again and said: "Peace be with you!" This was not just any peace but the peace of God through Jesus' work of redemption--assured by His resurrection.
Jesus permitted Thomas what his doubt demanded. We can hear our Redeemer's love for Thomas in His words. The Spirit worked through that gracious Gospel invitation to revive Thomas' faith! The Spirit enabled him to see with eyes of faith that Jesus lives. His work of redemption forever stands as the accepted payment in full for the sins of mankind! In Spirit-renewed faith Thomas responds: “My Lord and my God!”
Thomas now knew beyond any doubt that JESUS is the eternally blessed God, mankind's Redeemer! Faith can't stand on emotions or reason, it can only stand on Jesus and His saving Gospel through which our Lord comes to us and lives with us, giving us His redemption! The very essence of saving faith is trusting in Jesus and His Word, not allowing our ever-changing emotions to blind us and cause doubt! Saving faith holds to and stands on Jesus' eternal Word.
