But he (Thomas) said to them, "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 it." John 20:25
In the 1800s, Robert Ingersoll regularly spoke against the Savior and Scripture. At one of his lectures he took out his pocket watch and said, "I’ll give God a chance to prove that He exists. I challenge Him to strike me dead within five minutes!" The minutes crawled by. When time was up, Ingersoll smiled and sneeringly said, "You see! There is no God! I am still very much alive!" That’s when a Christian lady stood up and said, "You didn’t prove there is no God. You just proved that God isn’t taking orders from atheists today."
It is quite possible that you find yourself filled with doubt, a silent, spiritual descendant of Robert Ingersoll. You wonder, “Is Christianity only myth, mist, and mirrors?” If that is so, please don’t despair. The Lord understands our frailties and shortcomings. He understands that we have our questions. Indeed, Thomas—one of His own disciples—had some serious concerns. His challenge to the message “Christ is risen,” was a very human: "Unless I see Him for myself, until I actually touch Him, I’m not going to believe.”
Would it surprise you to know that Jesus, our living, loving Lord, accepted Thomas' challenge? Understand, Jesus doesn’t do that sort of thing all the time, but He did for Thomas. Jesus came to that questioning disciple. With love, Jesus came and said something like, “Here, check Me out. Go ahead, I want you to touch My hands. Put your hand into My side where the soldier's spear sliced into My heart. Thomas, check Me out and believe.” And Thomas did believe. He fell to his knees and said, “My Lord and my God.”
Every man, woman, and child ought to make a similar confession of faith. You see, Jesus lived, suffered, died, and rose so that all who believe on Him might be forgiven of their sins and saved for heaven. Now all Christ asks is that people believe on Him as their Savior. Sadly, too many don’t. Do you? That is the great, unanswered question. Let me ask, “What would it take for you to make Thomas’ words your own?” If it’s having someone come back from the dead, it’s already happened. Believe it.
Excerpt from The Lutheran Hour sermon preached on April 18, 2004
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, fill me with the Holy Spirit as I seek to strengthen my faith. Help me to not doubt You and the saving grace You offer freely to those who believe. In Your Name, my Lord and my God. Amen.
Today's Bible Readings: Numbers 20-22 Mark 15:26-47
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