Don't Be A Doubting Thomas!

Can you imagine the scene? It’s Sunday, the day of the resurrection, and the disciples of the Lord are scared and hiding behind locked doors. The doors are locked and barred to keep those out who might mean them harm because they were followers of Jesus. Their Rabbi, Master, and friend was dead, and they thought all hope was lost. As they sat around the table in somber silence grieving Jesus, something miraculous happened. While the door was still locked and barred, Jesus appeared in their midst. He said, “Peace be with you.” Wow, Jesus had risen just as He said He would. Jesus showed His disciples His nail-scarred hands and the disciples knew that it was Jesus and what joy filled the room. That room went from a somber funeral wake to a resurrection celebration. There was one disciple that was not with the others at the time of Jesus’ first appearing, and that was Didymus, or better known as Thomas. All of the other disciples ran to share the greatest news ever with Thomas, but Thomas, like any rational person, would not believe that Jesus rose from the dead. Thomas said, “show me the proof” (my quote)! He said, “Unless I shall see in His hands the imprint of the nails and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” Eight days later, all of the disciples, including doubting Thomas, were together inside a room with the doors again shut and locked. Jesus again appeared to the group telling them “Peace be with you.” Jesus knew what Thomas needed: He knew that he needed proof, so He told Thomas, “Reach here your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and be not unbelieving but believing.” Now that Thomas saw the risen Jesus with his own eyes and touched Him with his own hands, he believed. Jesus told Thomas, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.” The Scripture goes on to tell us that Jesus did many other signs before the disciples that are not even recorded in the book. Thomas was like many people today. He said, “Show me then I will believe,” but Jesus says, “Believe and then you shall see.” We are told in 2 Corinthians 5:7 “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” Thomas was not walking by faith; he had to see to believe. Many today are seeking signs and wonders. Many today say that they must have a sign to show that they are saved. One of the big signs used by some in the church today is the sign of tongues. Again, it all comes back to this, are you save by grace through faith, or by works leading to signs? If we need signs to prove our salvation, then it is no longer by faith. If we don’t have enough faith to know that God’s grace is sufficient to save us, then we can never truly be saved. We are told many times in the Scriptures that there is a difference between faith and proof. Romans 1:17 says, “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “But the righteous man shall live by faith.” Galatians 3:11 says, “Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, “The righteous man shall live by faith.” Finally, Hebrews 10:38 says, “But My righteous one shall live by faith; And if he shrinks back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” Do you notice the common thread here? It’s not walking by proof, but by faith. Matthew 16:4 gives us a strong rebuke against seeking signs and wonders. It says, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and a sign will not be given it, except the sign of Jonah.” And He left them and went away.” Did you catch those two words describing those who seek signs, “Evil and adulterous?” We have 66 books packed full of miracles that people choose to look over; they want to see the wow factor before they receive Jesus. But stop seeking signs and start seeking for Jesus, the one who can do all things. Ensure that as believers, we are walking by faith, not by sight, signs and wonders. Don’t be a doubting Thomas; be a faithful Abraham

I must see to believe!