NW 4-15 Seeing AND Believing

Today’s Text is John 20: 19-31

I think we probably want to avoid taking Jesus’ words in John 29 as advice or a command - “Blessed are those who hav believed, and yet have not seen.” I think it is more of a statement of fact. Indeed - those who believe and are faithful without seeing Jesus are to be praised for sure!

But somehow in modern Christianity - I often get the impression that there are those who are proud of believing and not seeing - rather than simply seeking to SEE GOD IN ACTION!

Why would we WANT to believe without seeing? This is a question that should be asked! Because is alive and active and up to all sort of things in the lives of believers ALL THE TIME! So instead of believing without seeing - what if we were instead to aspire to Believing AND Seeing!

This is what the disciples do! Jesus says the above to Thomas after Thomas has said he will not believe unless he sees. Remember - the disciples didn’t believe UNTIL Jesus shows up! In fact - in Mark 16:14 - he berates the disciples unbelief and stubborn skepticism until he showed up!

Jesus is telling the truth - it is a blessing to have a faith that is strong and trusting without evidence. But he doesn’t say - strive for this. Rather- he appears to his followers and then gives them marching orders. The same is true for us. Jesus shows up in all the ways mentioned in the video above - and many more. Jesus has been showing up to the Church for 2000 years, and isn’t showing any signs of slowing down!

So - how and where will you look for Jesus. And when you have the suspicion that the Spirit has shown up - how will you tell the story? How will you remember the times when Jesus DOES make an appearance. And what will you do when it happens?

Christ’s Peace to you! PrCR