On a scale of 1 to 10 where does your doubt lie? One, being no doubt at all in this life, and ten being just like doubting Thomas was in today's scripture, John 21:1-19. I think most of us lie somewhere in the middle, especially if we haven’t seen God move in our lives.
But it makes us wonder, Thomas was one of the twelve, he saw many miracles done by Jesus. Jesus never lied to them; he always told them the truth and what he said, always happened. Why would it be any different for Thomas this time?
When I was young I used to think that doubting Thomas was a weak person because he didn’t believe Jesus had come back. But if we look closely at what the Bible says about Thomas when he is mentioned, we see he’s not weak at all, he’s more on the bold and courageous side. It says in John 11:16 that Thomas, nicknamed the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let’s go, too—and die with Jesus.” This is when Jesus wanted to go to raise Lazarus, but his disciples were afraid he would be killed. Those are not the words of a weak person. They are the words of someone ready to die for his Lord.
Maybe more of us are like Thomas than we think. Maybe we are not doubters to the extent Thomas was, but maybe we too are afraid to believe such a wonderful thing could happen. Like Jesus, dying on a cross for us and rising from the dead. Maybe he was hoping it was true but just couldn't wrap his mind around something so glorious. How many of us are that practical that something so unbelievable could happen right in front of us but in our heads we’re saying that’s not possible.
I love how Jesus doesn’t hesitate when he approaches Thomas. He doesn’t wait for him to ask anything. Jesus completely shows how he knew what Thomas needed. He told Thomas to put his fingers on his scars and on his side. It’s like Jesus used this opportunity to show us it’s OK to doubt and it’s OK to hesitate at times in life, but go to Him in your unbelief. Remember what it says in Mark 9:24 “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!” Just before this Jesus said, “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Believing with our heart is so important to have a relationship with our Lord and Savior.
So it’s OK to have times of doubt or times of unbelief but follow it up by asking for help in that doubt. When we open our hearts to God all things are possible.
Let's pray,
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for letting us know in your word that we can do all things through you, Lord Jesus. That when we struggle to believe in you Lord, you help us in our unbelief. When we come to you Lord we know you help us through all our good and not-so-good times. Lord, we know you are there and love us even on our hardest days. We lift up those problems to you Lord and know that you are God and cast out any unbelief. In Jesus' holy name, we pray. Amen.
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