May 16
Bible Reading: John 20:24-29
John 20:27-29, “Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’”
There would be no good news apart from the resurrection of Jesus Christ. No saving message. No true Christianity. No hope. It is as the Apostle Paul put it: “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins” (1 Corinthians 15:17).
But Christ has been raised from the dead! John chapter 20 gives the account of those first witnesses. They saw Jesus and spoke with Him. Thomas wasn’t with the other disciples when Jesus came to them (John 20:24). The other disciples shared the good news with Thomas, but Thomas demanded more proof: “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe” (John 20:25). Thus, he earned the name “doubting Thomas.”
But Thomas was unknowingly fulfilling a service to us all. Was it some other person that the disciples had seen? After all, Mary Magdalene mistook him for the gardener (John 20:15). Or maybe he was just an apparition of some kind? Thomas needed proof and Jesus condescended to his demand, granting proof positive of his literal, physical resurrection. Thomas’ experience became part of the Biblical record that has stood ever since, declaring to all the truth of the good news that Jesus died for our sins and rose from the dead. Thomas was an eyewitness to the gospel truth regarding Jesus. We’ve not been so privileged, but we are blessed inasmuch as we’ve believed without seeing (John 20:20; 1 Peter 1:8)! We may not have touched his wounds, but he has healed ours!
“Your faith is far stronger, and your blessing is richer, because you have believed even though you haven’t seen.” – John G. Mitchell
JESUS, THOU JOY OF LOVING HEARTS!
Jesus, Thou joy of loving hearts,
Thou fount of life, Thou light of men,
from the best bliss that earth imparts,
we turn unfilled to Thee again.
Thy truth unchanged hath ever stood;
Thou savest those that on Thee call;
to them that seek Thee, Thou art good,
to them that find Thee all in all.
We taste Thee, O Thou living Bread,
and long to feast upon Thee still;
we drink of Thee, the Fountain-head,
and thirst our souls from Thee to fill.
Our restless spirits yearn for Thee,
where’er our changeful lot is cast;
glad when Thy gracious smile we see,
blest when our faith can hold Thee fast.
O Jesus, ever with us stay,
make all our moments calm and bright;
chase the dark night of sin away;
shed o’er the world Thy holy light.
LookingtoJesus 