“My Lord and My God!!!!”

doubt

by Dona Hake

I don’t know about you but some of the wonderful stories in the Bible make me just close my eyes and try to visualize what it must have been like in that moment in time. Today we are looking at John 20:25-30 where the disciples had just experienced Jesus making an appearance after His death. The room where they were in had locked doors for fear of the Jews. As Jesus entered the room He spoke peace over them and they were thrilled to see Him and they even got to touch His nail scarred hands and side. I cannot even imagine how they felt after seeing Jesus dying and then to see Him alive again! I tell you what I cannot imagine is being one of the twelve and I just happened to not be there. Oh my…talk about disappointment or shall we say for Thomas …a whole lot of doubt.

You got to give it to Thomas, he was being honest and he just was not buying this story unless there was proof and he spoke what proof he wanted.

John 20:25-30
Easy-to-Read Version

They told him, “We saw the Lord.” Thomas said, “That’s hard to believe. I will have to see the nail holes in his hands, put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side. Only then will I believe it.”

A week later the followers were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. The doors were locked, but Jesus came and stood among them. He said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here. Look at my hands. Put your hand here in my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

Thomas said to Jesus, “My Lord and my God!”

Jesus said to him, “You believe because you see me. Great blessings belong to the people who believe without seeing me!”

I have read these scriptures over and over again since I have started meditating on this yesterday. I can just see Jesus walking toward Thomas and after his eyes saw the scarred hands and side of Jesus, Thomas exclaimed “My Lord and my God!” I keep visualizing the possibility of Thomas dropping to his knees in total awe, humility, and worship to Jesus. Every bit of doubt melted away and his heart was filled with renewed faith.

Jesus knew Thomas’ heart before he entered the room and He addressed Thomas’ doubt right away. He knew what Thomas needed to see and Jesus showed Him. To me this story reminds me that we in times of unbelief are challenged to just believe before we see the end result. I encourage you to ponder this story in your heart to just believe that He is alive and desires to show Himself to you however you need Him to. Are you troubled? Sad? Sick? Jesus just wants you to believe that He can be whatever you need Him to be as you release your faith in prayer. His loving, nail scarred hands are ready to touch your life today!

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