Many of us want proof. Many of us, like Thomas, want to feel the holes in his hands. We want signs, in the flesh, that what we are doing is right. We want God's promises to be real--to feel real.
"Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "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 it." John 20:24-25
Thomas was a realist, like many of us. So, let us not be too quick to judge, as many of us keep asking, "is this real?" We were just talking the other day about how easily disappointed we can become when things don't seem to be working out, just right. Thomas had placed his hope and his trust in Jesus. Now it was three days after the crucifixion and Thomas was crushed, thinking all his hopes and dreams had been dashed. He had withdrawn to be by himself. He wasn't with the other disciples when Jesus appeared to them. Even when he observed the joy of the other apostles - their wonder, their belief, their conviction - he was not in the frame of mind to be swayed by mere words. No, Thomas wanted a sign in the flesh. He wanted to place his hands in the wounds made by the nails and touch the side where the sword had pierced his beloved Jesus. He wanted to see Jesus, to touch Jesus, to hold on to Him in the flesh.
How often are we just like Thomas? Doubting the promises because we see nothing in the natural realm? Afraid to believe unless we can "touch" the promises? Wanting confirmation here on earth of what He has already promised us is done in the heavenlies? Oh how we long for earthly signs when our faith in His promises should be all that we need.
"But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind." James 1:6
We cannot ask and then not believe. We cannot stand one day and doubt the next. We must be firm in our belief; firm in our hope; firm in our stand. We need to throw off this all too human nature to crave in the flesh what is promised in the spirit. How often do we say, "Do something, God, then I'll believe." But this is not the way God wants it. He wants us to believe first, then He will do something. God parted the Jordan for the priests who carried the Ark - but they had to step into it first.
"A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." John 20:26-27
Jesus' words to Thomas are His words to us - stop doubting and believe. Believe in your heart that His promises are true. Believe in your soul that that it is done. Circumstances are just that - circumstances. They are ever changing and often not what they seem. Don't let the things of this earth cloud your belief or dictate your faith. Believe without seeing.
"Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." John 20:28-29
We have mentioned Jairus recently, but his store warrants a review. If you look closely at the story of Jairus's daughter, the circumstances told Jesus it was too late. The things of this earth told him there was no hope.
Is this where you are right now? Jesus did NOT make it in the right time frame. You have come to Jesus with the hope of a miracle and now it seems that it will not happen for you? Have you fought your way through the crowds and those who attempt to keep you away from Jesus only to have circumstances tell you its too late?
"Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, "Don't be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed. When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James, and the child's father and mother. Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. "Stop wailing," Jesus said. "She is not dead but asleep." Luke 8:50-52
Jarius began to hope, with the words, "Just believe." With these same words, He brings new hope into our lives as well, if we will just stop doubting and believe. At some point we have to stop being Thomas, and start believing without needing to feel the holes. We have to hope against hope, like Jairus. If Jesus said, "Believe!" We have to believe. We have to just decided to stop doubting and start living His promises.
You have a choice to believe or not to believe? What have you decided to do? Whom do you choose to believe? The Lord or the enemy? If the Lord was to walk into your home and tell you His entire plan for your life and marriage, would you follow Him? He wants each of us to trust and follow Him one step and one day at a time.
"Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household." Acts 16:31
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