Jesus is Alive

Wednesday, April 12

Jesus Is Alive!
By: Melissa Beauvais
John 20:24-29

Jesus is Alive! The women found the empty tomb and shared the news. The disciples had all seen Him, all but Thomas.  When his friends returned to share the news “ We have seen the Lord,”  Thomas replied, “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.” (v.25)

We may scorn Thomas’s faith because he wanted to see, but think about this: Thomas’s friend was just murdered publicly, found guilty of false accusations. The depth of his love for the friend with whom he spent day in and day out is no longer with them. The emotional strain of grief is unbearable for Thomas to fathom. If this was not Jesus, the hurt would be like ripping a band-aid off an unhealed wound. Thomas would rather just not believe. 

If not yourself then maybe a friend or a family member is like Thomas. They want to “see” God in action and witness the miracle of His doing in front of them. They want to feel the holes for themselves to know and believe, so it is just easier to doubt. Jesus meets Thomas. 

“Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” (v.28). 

For some, it does take seeing to believe, so our lives should always reflect the Risen Hope that is in Jesus. So that, those who are in unbelief will be met with belief. So be kind to the rationalist, be patient with the skeptic, and love the unbeliever.  Jesus doesn’t scold Thomas or put him down because he doubted but simply tells him “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (v.29).

Many of us will and have come into the Kingdom through different experiences because God will meet us divinely where we are at.