Today’s reading is John 20.
Poor Thomas. His incredible devotion to Jesus and courage back in John 11:16 is forgotten. His declaration to the other eleven, provoking them to follow Jesus to Judea, saying, “Let us also go, that we may die with him,” is lost, hidden behind his doubt in John 20:25: “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” (ESV).
But for a moment, let us be thankful for Thomas’s profound doubt. Modern skeptics and atheists would have us believe in a superstitious Thomas, a gullible Thomas, a susceptible Thomas, a foolish Thomas. I for one am thankful for doubting Thomas. While he is singled out, he was no more or less doubtful than the rest who refused to believe until they saw Jesus in the flesh themselves. But what do we see in Thomas? These men were not superstitious. They were not expecting resurrection. They didn’t even believe in it when it happened. They demanded the level of evidence most anyone would demand. “I need to see it for myself.”
Yet, how can that level of evidence be provided for all time? Must Jesus incarnate again and again, die again and again, rise again and again, be witnessed again and again in each generation for everyone to see so they can believe? Jesus is a once-for-all sacrifice, not a repeating one. What is the only option then? Those who demanded such a high level of evidence must give their testimony. They must relate their own experiences. They must share with us the signs they saw. Then we will have to determine whether their testimony stacks up.
And so, Jesus says to Thomas, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29, ESV). Then John, our author, goes on to explain:
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
John 20:30-31 (ESV)
We haven’t seen. Jesus will not incarnate again and again, sacrifice again and again, rise again and again. But His ambassadors were left behind to tell the story. John has told us His story. He didn’t tell us everything he could, but he told us everything we need to hear. Recall the signs: the miraculous knowledge of man and woman, the sight to the blind, the healing, the water to wine, the resurrection from the dead. That last one though. He raised others from the dead, He raised Himself. These are the signs. John tells us what he saw, what he heard, what he touched. He is not alone, Matthew also tells us. Mark tells us on behalf of Peter. Luke tells us of the research he compiled. Paul tells us.
All of this given by God through these men that we would believe. If you won’t believe, what will you make of Jesus? If you won’t believe, make sure whatever you do believe actually makes sense of the evidence as we have it.
These things were recorded that you might have life in the name of Jesus. Can we help you consider this further? Can we help you believe? If you believe, can we help you give your allegiance to the Christ, the Son of God, our King, Jesus? If so, let us know in the comments below.
Next week’s reading is John 21.
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PATHS:
Discuss Today’s Meditation with Your Family
What do you want to share with others from John 20?
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