Monday Morning Encouragement -- Believing Without Seeing



Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:29



When Jesus first appeared to the disciples after His resurrection, Thomas was absent. We read in John 20:24-25 that when the disciples told Thomas that the Lord had appeared to them, he responded that he would not believe their testimony unless he could see for himself the nail marks in Jesus' hands and could touch where the nail marks were, and put his hand into Jesus' side where He was pierced with the sword.


A week later in the same room Jesus again appeared to the disciples, and this time Thomas was present. John recounts the event:


"Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, 'Peace be with you!' Then he said to 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!'


Then Jesus told him, 'Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.'"


When I read these verses, I'm struck by the love and gentle spirit of our Savior. He's not angry with Thomas' unbelief, though it certainly was not honoring to the Lord. Instead, He gently rebukes Thomas for not believing what the others had told him. And then Jesus goes on to say that the real blessing -- a unique blessing -- is given to those who believe without proof. Who believe without seeing.


The 19th century English evangelical Anglican Bishop J.C. Ryle comments:


"In the daily business of life, we take many important steps on no other ground than the testimony of others. Probability, in fact, is the only guide to most parts of our life.


So where is the common sense of saying that in such a mysterious matter as the concern of our souls we ought to believe nothing that we do not see, and ought to receive nothing as true unless it is demonstrated to us? Christianity does not avoid appealing to our intellects, and does not require of us a blind, unreasoning faith. But Christianity does begin by asking us to believe [on sound testimony from first-hand witnesses] many things that are above our reason, and promises that if we do, we shall have more light. The modern would-be wise man says, 'I distrust mystery. I must first see, and then I will believe.' Christianity replies, 'You cannot avoid mystery unless you go out of the world. You are only asked to do with religion what you already do with the rest of life. Begin by believing, and then you will see.'"


Today's sweet and beautiful music video Without Seeing You by David Haas (HANGAD Version) is sung by the Himig Diwa Chorale Alumni through a virtual presentation recorded at the height of the pandemic. It was their wish "to convey a message of faith and hope to everyone affected by the pandemic." 




I love you, I'm thinking of you, and I'm praying for you.




4 comments

  1. Amen! You have to trust in the Lord to have true faith. We believe because we see Him in everything around us. The sea, the mountains, nature and a tiny, perfect baby. The Lord is my Rock forevermore.
    Blessings and hugs,
    Betsy

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  2. I think it shows real faith when we believe when we cannot see. None of us have seen the Lord but we know in our hearts and mind that he is with us. Life itself is proof of our Lord. Such a gift the human body is and all the beauty created around us. Have a great new week Nancy. xoxo Kris

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  3. I so appreciate being able to pray, Lord help our unbelief. I'm also so thankful for God's Word , the Truth , that we can hold in our hands and read and understand because of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Hope your week is good, Nancy!

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