Blessed Are Those Who Have Not Seen and Yet Have Believed
John 20:19–29
On the evening of the third day since Jesus died on the cross, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus who had been resurrected appeared among them.
Though the doors were all locked, Jesus came into the house and said to His disciples, “Peace be with you!” Then, the disciples were convinced of Christ’s resurrection and were overjoyed. Thomas, one of the Twelve, who was not with the disciples when Jesus came, doubted Jesus’ appearance.
“Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.”
A week later, the disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came and stood among them and said to Thomas,
“Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
Thomas quivered in his voice.
“My Lord and my God!”
At his confession, Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Thomas had seen much evidence through which he could believe that Jesus was the Christ, while accompanying Him for about three years. On the day when Jesus was resurrected, however, his faith was exposed as it was. It is natural to believe what we see, but it is difficult to believe what we have not seen. However, what is seen is just a part of all. There are much more things we cannot sense with our eyes in the world. The power of the invisible world makes the history of the visible world. Since the power of the invisible world is that great, those who believe what they have not seen are more blessed.
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” Heb 11:1
The love of God, who was sacrificed to save us, cannot be fathomed by man’s wisdom nor be seen by man’s eyes. When we see through the Bible with the eyes of faith, we can see and realize. Do you believe because you see? No. You see because you believe.