Blessed Are Those Who Believe

8/16/2024

Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
—John 20:29 (NIV)

The words Jesus spoke to Thomas after His resurrection carry a profound message for us today. Thomas, often referred to as "Doubting Thomas," had not been present when Jesus first appeared to the other disciples. He declared that he would not believe unless he saw and touched Jesus’ wounds for himself. When Jesus appeared to Thomas later, He invited him to do just that. But then, Jesus gently rebuked Thomas with the words in John 20:29, reminding him that faith is not solely dependent on sight, but on believing in Him even when we cannot see Him.

In our modern world, where skepticism often reigns, many people, like Thomas, demand tangible proof before they believe. Yet, Jesus calls us to a higher form of faith—a faith that does not require physical evidence but rests on trust in His Word and the testimony of those who have gone before us.

It can be easy to doubt when we cannot see or understand what God is doing in our lives. But just like Thomas, we are called to have faith and believe in Jesus, even when things seem impossible or unclear. Our faith is not based on what we can see or understand, but on who Jesus is and His faithfulness to us.

This passage invites us to reflect on the nature of our faith. Do we believe only when we see the outcome or when things go our way? Or do we trust in God’s promises even when we don’t see how everything will work out? True faith is believing without seeing, trusting that God is at work even in the unseen details of our lives.

Jesus blesses those who believe without seeing. This blessing is not just for Thomas or the disciples but for all believers throughout history who have trusted in the risen Christ without physically seeing Him. It’s a reminder that our faith is a precious gift, one that connects us to God in a profound and mysterious way.

Here are a few reflection questions for you to consider.

How does the story of Thomas resonate with your own experiences of doubt or the need for proof?

In what areas of your life is God asking you to trust Him even when you cannot see the outcome?

How can you nurture a faith that believes in God's promises without needing to see immediate evidence?

So today, let us hold fast to our faith, trusting in Jesus even when we cannot see Him. Let us be like the countless believers throughout history who have believed in Him without seeing Him, and have been blessed because of their faith. May we be encouraged to trust in Him more deeply, knowing that He is always with us, even when we cannot see Him with our physical eyes.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of faith. Help us to believe in Your promises even when we cannot see the full picture. Strengthen our trust in You, and grant us the peace that comes from knowing that You are always at work in our lives, even in the unseen. May we, like Thomas, come to a deeper understanding of Your love and power, and may we be blessed as we walk by faith and not by sight. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Pastor Jeff

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