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"Unless I See the Nail Marks..."


“We have seen the Lord!”, the disciples proclaimed to a man who was simply not buying what they were selling. I imagine Thomas must of thought he was the voice of reason as his poor misguided friends tried to process the humiliating death of their Lord.

“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.” Thomas professed, his arms crossed as he confronted the disciples with the cold hard truth. He demanded something they could not deliver, proof. What he “knew” about God would not allow him to entertain the thought of God dying in front of him on a cross and somehow coming back to life three days later.

A week later the "gullible" disciples came back and ,of course, Thomas was with them. He was probably hoping they had time to come to their senses and deal with reality. But was he ready to cash in his reality check? Fore a locked house could not separate the Risen Savior from His beloved. Jesus made himself at home and stood among them! “Peace be with you!”

I wonder, in the box that I keep everything I "know" about God, is there enough room for Jesus to do the unexpected? What am I taking a firm stand on, with my arms crossed in disbelief of how Jesus can reveal himself to me?

Jesus turned to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas stood there in the presence of undeniable proof that Jesus is alive!

“My Lord and my God!” What else could he say, right? When you’re face to face with your Redeemer, what would you say? That is, if you can say anything at all from the prostrate position! I love this story because Thomas, though he doubted, was still welcomed by Jesus. I hope my doubts can bring me face to face with Him as well! But my goal is not to merely overstate the obvious, but to transcend my own vision and understanding and be among those, whom Jesus commends.

“…blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Comments

  1. Dee DaySeptember 24, 2011 at 5:01 AM

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Edward. They are timely, especially in an age when everyone is so intrigued with all the media attractions available. I am happy to be reminded of these truths!

    ReplyDelete

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