Blessed for not Seeing
Opening Prayer
Think of three family members or friends who have not yet given their lives to Jesus; then, pray for them.
Read John 20:24-31
[24] Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. [25] So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “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.” [26] A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” [27] Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” [28] Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” [29] Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” [30] Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. [31] But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What does John say is the purpose of his writing?Thomas gets a lot of criticism. The very fact that most of us think of him as “Doubting Thomas” tells you something! Instead, he probably should be thought of as “Believing Thomas.” Thomas goes further than any of the disciples before him in declaring who Jesus is. It is from Thomas that we get the incredible declaration that Jesus is “My Lord and my God” (28). Thomas’ statement is both personal in the repetition of the word “my” and profound in “Lord and … God.” In the original Greek, “Lord” has the sense of controller, master or owner, while “God” is the supreme divinity. For Thomas, this moment marks a shift in his understanding. His relationship is no longer with “my friend Jesus,” but with “my Sovereign King.” It’s interesting that Jesus does not respond with great praise for what Thomas says. Perhaps this is because it was relatively easy for Thomas to affirm faith when faced with the clear evidence of Jesus’ hands and side. Instead, Jesus affirms those who believe and have not seen him (29)–that’s us! His praise is reserved for those of us who believe not just with our minds but with our whole being.
Apply
Recall the people you prayed for earlier. Ask God to give you an opportunity to reach out to them today.
Closing prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for the gift of faith You have given me. I want to share it with others, too.
Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.
© 2024 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.
Discovery is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.