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Believing Without Seeing - John 20:19-31

In the spirit and within the Octave of Easter, our call to discipleship encourages us to be very decisive and intentional about our faith ideals. John 20:29 to be specific gives us a powerful insight into believing without seeing -"Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe."

While we too might be like Thomas not immune from doubting, the world around has made things more complicated for us to see things through the eye of faith. But the resurrected Christ proves to Thomas and to us that just a simple faith could help us where we need to be with Jesus in our Christian journey.

Thomas wasn't there when Jesus first appeared to the disciples (John 20:19-24). When told about Jesus' resurrection, Thomas said he'd only believe if he saw and touched Jesus' wounds (John 20:25). Jesus' appearance eight days later to Thomas, inviting him to touch His wounds might have rendered him flabbergasted (John 20:26-27). Thomas responded with, "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:28), acknowledging his unbelief and faithlessness of Jesus' resurrection. We all can be in this kind of space in one form or the other as well. To recall again, living in the atmosphere of faith would help us to be where we need to be with Christ, if only we can just exhibit a simple faith in Him who is all knowing! We never read from anywhere in the scriptures despite Thomas' being among other Jesus' disciples who deserted Jesus at His crucifixion that He treated him based on his doubt. No! Not at all, but we read of how Jesus turned Thomas' doubt (inquisitive character so to speak) into a blessing for every disciple there present. How does believing without seeing resonate with you, especially in our world right now? Or would you like to explore more about your faith where you doubt? Jesus is the answer. Jesus is still alive to uplift  your spirit of doubt and fill you with courage to face whatever that might be making you afraid. 

Jesus said, "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed" (John 20:29). This highlights the blessing for those who believe in Jesus without seeing Him physically, and to those who see His wondrous works among people of every nation. This passage encourages us with faith and trust in Jesus, even when we can't see Him physically. And as 21st-century Christians, we're called to believe and follow Jesus based on the testimony of the scriptures and the Holy Spirit's guidance so that we do not rub ourselves of the blessings we're meant to receive from God. Thanks be to God. Amen.

The Reverend Wilson Akinwale

Rector