Proclamation:
“Then Jesus told him, ‘Because you have seen me, you have
believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.’” John 20:29 (NIV)
Explanation:
These words were recorded by the
Apostle John under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God. In this chapter, John records the events
surrounding the resurrection of Jesus and His post resurrection appearances to
Mary and to His disciples. Mary was the
first to get to the tomb but Peter and John looked into the tomb and saw that the
linen which Jesus had been wrapped in was lying where they had laid Him. (John
20:1-8) After the men left, Jesus
appeared to Mary outside the tomb. (John 20:11-17) Later Jesus appeared to His disciples when
Thomas was absent (John 20:19-24) and then again eight days later when he was
present. (John 20:26-29) Thomas said
that he would not believe that Jesus had risen from the dead unless he saw Him
for himself and saw the print of the nails in His hands. (John 20:25) Thomas believed because he saw the evidence
for himself. Then Jesus offered a
special blessing for those who would believe in Him without seeing the evidence
for themselves.
Application:
Some people only believe that which they see for
themselves. There is an empty tomb where
they laid the body of Jesus, The Christ, to provide proof that He lives. However, those who do not believe will not
accept this as evidence. After His
resurrection, Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of James
and Joses, (Matthew 28:1) Cleopas and the man walking with him, (Luke 24:18-34)
and to His disciples three times. (John 20:19-24 and 20:26-29 and 21:4-14) Jesus showed Himself alive and appeared to
them over a period of forty days before ascending to heaven. (Acts 1:3) Blessed are those of us who believe in His
death, burial, and resurrection without having seen Him.
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