BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO BELIEVE WITHOUT SEEING

PROCLAMATION

“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 believe.’ ”  John 20:28-29 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, according to the Apostle John and written 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)  When Jesus appeared to them, Thomas believed because he saw the evidence for himself.  Then Jesus offered a special blessing for those of us who would believe in Him without seeing the evidence.

 

APPLICATION

Some people will 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, Joanna, and Mary, the mother of James, (Matthew 28:9, Mark 16:9, Luke 24:9-10, and John 20:14-18) Cleopas and the man walking with him on the road to Emmaus, (Luke 24:13-34) and to His disciples. (John 20:19-24 and 20:26-29 and 21:4-14)  Jesus showed Himself alive and appeared to them multiple times over a period of forty days before ascending to heaven. (Acts 1:3)  Blessed are those of us who believe in His birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection without having seen the evidence.