Blake Allen
Dunbar Cave Campus Pastor
John 20:24-29
“Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although 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, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
I think as natural logicians, skeptics, or cautionist, we believe seeing is believing. But that is not true. There are a lot of thing we have not seen but believe. I have never physically met or seen Hitler, Martin Luther, Plato, etc., but I believe they were real people. I can’t see air but I believe I can breathe. I’ve never seen what lies at the bottom of the ocean yet I know there is something there. I believe without seeing because of testimony and faith.
Now we are not called to have blind faith. There are legitimate reasons and proofs for believing in Jesus. But nevertheless, faith is required. The story of Thomas doubting the resurrection account initially is a great example of this. Jesus showed the proof by revealing Himself to Thomas. But Jesus also told Thomas that He only believed because he saw. But blessed are those who have not seen but believe.
Jesus reveals Himself in nature, creation, His word, and historical testimony (just like those other guys mentioned above). The reality is no matter how much proof is shown, some have already made up their minds and will still doubt like the Pharisees. A people not open to the reality they could be wrong.
There is plenty of evidence my friends. You will have to do the homework and research. But at some point you will have to accept or deny Jesus. We can demand Jesus appear physically like Thomas did, else we won’t believe—though we don’t do this with other historical figures. But blessed are those who believe without seeing.