05 Oct Though We Do Not See, We Believe
Do you ever find it difficult to have faith? Sometimes I think, “If I could only see God and Jesus with my own eyes, it would be so much easier to have faith!” But that is not how faith works. Hebrews tells us, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” (11:1). So how can we come to have faith in what we do not see?
The Bible gives us inspiring teachings and examples of people who believed in God and Jesus even though they could not see them. After Jesus’ resurrection, he appeared to a group of his disciples, and this miraculous appearance helped them to believe he was the gracious Son of God. However, Thomas, one of the Twelve, was not present when Jesus appeared, and when the group told Thomas that they had seen Jesus, he did not believe their testimony. He insisted, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe” (John 20:25). Like me, Thomas wanted to see in order to believe. A few days later, Jesus appeared again. This time, Thomas was there:
A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though 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; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
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 have believed.” (John 20:26-29)
Brothers and sisters, although Jesus appeared to Thomas to help him overcome his doubt, he told him a truth that is very encouraging for you and me: Even if we do not see Jesus for ourselves, we can still believe—and we are blessed when we have such faith.
Keep this in mind: Only a few of Jesus’ faithful disciples saw him after his resurrection, and they proclaimed what they saw to others who had not seen him. Their eyewitness testimony has enabled countless others to come to faith in him—and their testimony can help you and me have faith too.
The two passages below were written to faithful disciples years after the resurrection of Jesus. Although these disciples had not seen Jesus with their own eyes, like us they had come to faith because of the testimony of others.
Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:8–9)
Although some eyewitnesses saw Jesus, remember that no one has ever seen God—and yet we are able to believe in him. We grow in faith when see his great work in the world, and as we experience and share his love:
No one has ever seen God, but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. (1 John 4:12)
Brothers and sisters, this is the spiritual plan for our lives today. Even though we did not see Jesus, we can believe in him based on the testimony of eyewitnesses. Our faith allows us to receive and experience his love, and God’s love, and thus to love others!
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