"On Faith"
August 24, 2016
Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen Me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." John 20:29
Some people say they can't believe in the Bible, or its miracles, or the Savior's life.
They say they can't believe until they see these things for themselves. Of course, using the logic which says you have to see in order to accept something, I wonder how many of these people have ever been to the Antarctic. Using their criteria, they would have to say, "Unless I stand on that cold slab of ice, and touch the snow, and feel the wind, I won't believe." I wonder how many of them have been to North Korea. If not, how do they know it's there? Have they ever seen their brain, their conscience, their memory? If they haven't, they ought to doubt they exist.
Of course, they're going to say, "I don't have to go to the Antarctic. I know people who have been there. I trust them. I put faith in their word."
To which I say, What was that last part? You take some things on faith! You believe some things because people you trust have told you? Good. Then listen to Thomas who, if he were here, would say, "I saw Jesus. I touched Him. The other disciples did too."
So, what is your response to that witness? Do you reply, "But Reverend, I don't know if Thomas and the others were telling the truth"?
This forces me to ask, what would they have to do to get you to believe the truth of their words? Would it help if I told you that rather than denying the resurrection of Jesus Christ, rather than renouncing the Savior who died so that all who believe on Him might live, they were willing to be martyred?
Around the world, all alone, they died, holding fast to the truth.
Tradition says one was clubbed to death; another was flayed alive. A number of them were crucified. It doesn't matter. They died because they believed this truth: Jesus Christ has risen, and all who believe on Jesus as Savior are forgiven and have eternal life.
But it is not just these people who died believing this truth. Millions of others have held fast to the truth of Christ's cross and the open tomb.
Jesus was their life, their hope.
He can be your Redeemer too.
By the Holy Spirit's power you can believe in the Savior's glorious resurrection. You can trust Thomas' words and his witness. You can believe with Thomas because he sealed the truth of this story with his death.
He could do no more.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, the world would have us question Scripture and the stories You have shared there. Grant we realize the truth of Your Word and the witness of those believers who remained faithful until death. May we always remember and believe that we are saved by Christ's sacrifice. This I ask in Jesus' Name. Amen.
