The other disciples therefore said to him, "We have seen the Lord." So he said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe." And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, "Peace to you!" Then He said to Thomas, "Reach your finger here, and look at my hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing." Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
John 20: 25 - 29 NKJV
Sometimes I wonder to myself just how many Christians like Thomas there are out there in the world. People who have had the gospel of Jesus spoken to them their entire lives yet still demand proof before they will accept it. I get it. I was once among the doubters as well. Like most people, I operate on the seeing is believing principal. If I could see it, I'd believe in it. Now, imagine if Newton had operated on that principal. Would he have discovered gravity had he simply heard about it? What about Thomas Edison? Would he have discovered electricity simply by hearing of it? Like our friend Thomas, both Newton and Edison witnessed with their own eyes...and then believed. Sometimes I think that we humans are unique in that we feel the need to investigate and prove something before we will accept it. Except, how does that work in Christianity? How is it that we can ask someone to know and believe in Jesus when we cannot produce the evidence for them to verify? It is in this respect that I do not envy the job of pastor. For the biggest sell job of a pastor is to convince a room full of people to believe in what he is telling them. Don't get me wrong, there is indeed plenty of historical evidence which points to the very fact that Jesus did exist at one time. Yet, when was the last time anyone ever saw Jesus? Can we invite Him over to verify He's real? Well, if I were like Thomas, I'd be screaming for proof to verify that others had seen the Lord. It is unfortunate that we live in a time where physical evidence of the existence of Jesus in todays world is scarce. We're told that He suffered and died on the cross, but that three days later He rose again and was seen by multitudes of people. Enter doubting Thomas. Despite the other disciples trying to speak truth to him, Thomas wasn't convinced. Yet once the young disciple saw Jesus with his own eyes, he immediately worshipped his Lord. Funny how that works. One of the topics of our discussions lately has been how God desires for all of His children to know Him. Is it therefore our challenge as followers of Jesus to introduce Him to others in a way they can understand?
Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with waves. But He was asleep. Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, "Lord, save us! We are perishing!" But He said to them, "Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?" Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. So the men marveled, saying, "Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?"
Mathew 8: 23 - 27 NKJV
Who indeed! Once again, the disciples were caught in one of those doubting Thomas moments. All around them all that they could see were raging waves, which I'm sure could have capsized them at any moment. Keep in mind that a good number of these followers of Jesus were fishermen by trade, so it is logical to assume that they were very familiar with rough weather. Knowing this, that must have been some storm if even these seasoned salts were afraid. Yet, asleep in the rear of the boat was a very good reason for them to remain calm even in the midst of this storm. However, trusting in their senses, they quickly woke Jesus in fear. Now, I find a key verse in the response that Jesus gives to His followers. A response which can still ring true for us today in the midst of our own storms of life. "Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?" Wow! With that, Jesus rebukes the waves and, I'm assuming, resumes His nap. Leaving the disciples to wonder among themselves what the hell had just happened. Now, I'll admit that my own faith has been shaken by circumstances in my life at times. Not too many Christians can deny that. So, how is it that you can speak Jesus to someone who has never experienced Him? Well, when the young men asked Jesus where it was He was staying what was His response? "Come and see" {John 1:39}. How is it that others will see Jesus? Through the lives of those who follow Him {Matthew 5:16}. The apostle Paul speaks to the reality of Christ in us in Galatians {Galatians 2:20}. Knowing this, will not others see Jesus through me? Jesus is the light who will shine from within.
Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, "What do you seek?" They said to Him, Rabbi (teacher), "where are you staying?" He said to them, "Come and see." They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day.
John 1: 38 - 39 NKJV
~Scott~
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