J.A. Matteson
(Devotional)
"Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed" (John 20:29). Was it seeing and touching the risen Christ that prompted the response by Thomas, "My Lord and my God!"? (John 20:28). Is seeing believing? If that is true then all people who saw would have believed...but they did not. Others saw the risen LORD yet did not believe. Even Jesus made a telling statement about the rich man suffering judgment after he died, "If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead" (Luke 16:31). How is it then Thomas moved from unbelief to belief? The Word of Life brought it forth, "...do not be unbelieving, but believing" (John 20:27). For this reason Jesus informs that seeing is not necessary for faith...grace is. What is needed is the mercy of God to open blind eyes and melt hearts of stone. And Thomas would soon learn that he was not only blessed of God to believe but to suffer for His names sake, "For to you it has been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake" (Philippians 1:29). This statement by Paul finds agreement with Jesus who also said, "...no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father" (John 6:65). So Thomas believed as it had been granted for him to do so. And you believe, like Thomas, as a result of grace. Amazing grace indeed! I once was blind but now I see. Thanks be to God. Happy Resurrection Day!
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