Blessing for Present-Day Believers
John 20:29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
The disciples walked by both faith and sight. Their sight may have in fact have hindered their faith. They saw Jesus daily, and he looked like a mere man, though He was and is much more. Our eyes can place limits on our beliefs. But for Thomas, he needed his eyes to see evidence in order to believe.
I’m not too hard on Thomas. He knew that Jesus had died. He didn’t have a category in his mind for Jesus re-appearing; for rising again from such a horrid death. Though Jesus had tried to help him. Several times Jesus had predicted his resurrection. But somehow, it just didn’t stick with the disciples. Jesus Himself had enacted resurrections: Tabitha; the widow’s son; and Lazarus.
Jesus is patient with Thomas. He helps his faith. He invited Thomas to come to Him and “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 does as Jesus says, and responds with this glorious statement of faith: “My Lord and my God!” May we all respond likewise.
But Jesus goes on to speak to the rest of us. He speaks to those of us who have not yet had the opportunity to see Jesus face to face; to personally experience His physical presence. He says, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” That would be all those whose faith is simply taking Jesus at His word; taking God at His Word; taking Scripture as the Word of God.
In the end, I’m not sure if it was harder for the first disciples, or for us. Their eyes played tricks on them. Our eyes want to see what is yet invisible. Faith is required for both, then and now. But there is a special blessing for present-day believers.
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