PsalmTree

 John 20:24-29

Jesus and Thomas

“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.”

😇 Humanly, we navigate our way through life using touch, taste, hearing, sight or smell. These five temporal senses alert us to danger and confirm our intuition. They are gifts so ubiquitous to our lives that we use them without thinking…until they go missing. They’re like natural AI…Try walking through a pitch dark room. Try enjoying food you can’t taste or music you can’t hear. This is why Jesus didn’t criticize Thomas for wanting sensory proof of the resurrection. It’s who we are. 

After letting Thomas touch His wounds he asked, “is this how you believe me? He then mentioned a little used sixth sense we’ve all been given…faith. It is used so infrequently that, for most of us, it is atrophied. We believers have been given the Holy Spirit for a number of reasons but one important reason is to build our faith. You and I are at a distinct disadvantage in following Christ because our five temporal senses are useless in our journey with Christ; 2 Corinthians 5:7 says “we walk by faith, not by sight.” Faith activates our temporal senses so we can “see” the marvelous works of God and “hear” His voice. Jesus said it best…we are blessed. 

🙏🏼 Father God…thank you for the gift of faith. It is a Divine sense that transcends our other temporal senses. Give me the discipline to strengthen my faith through studying your Word and listening to the Holy Spirit in me. And, like you, help me refrain from criticizing those whose faith is lacking. Instead give me a passion to share my faith with them in a way that will transform them eternally. What you have given me, I will pay forward in Jesus’ name, Amen.