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Be Not Faithless

Mary Magdalene had seen the resurrected Lord at the tomb. And why her? She ran to tell the disciples that she had seen Him and they believed her not! (Mark 16:11) Later that same day, at evening, the risen Lord appeared to his disciples behind locked doors, and revealed Himself as a literal, corporeal, physical being with body, parts, and passions, and carrying the identifying wounds of the crucifixion. Mark recorded that Jesus “Upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart because they believed not them which had seen Him after He was risen.” (Mark 16:14)

What a life-changing experience this must have been, but Thomas was not there. The disciples later told Thomas they had seen the Lord and he believed them not! 

Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails and put my finger into the print of the nails and thrust my hand into his side I will not believe. (John 20:25)

For that declaration, Thomas has been called “Doubting Thomas” ever since—a name that is undeserved and unfair. After all, he declared nothing more nor less than what the other disciples had said earlier. And who can blame any of them for not believing. They had witnessed Him tortured and murdered before their very eyes. Of course, He could not be alive! Moreover, their tales were too fantastic to be believed. 

Then, eight days later, the disciples were gathered together again behind closed doors and Jesus appeared once more in their midst and said unto them, “Peace be unto you.” (John 20:26)

The Lord then turned to Thomas and said, 

Reach hither thy finger and behold my hands; and reach hither they hand and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless but believing. (John 20:27)

What happens next, I believe, requires certain experiences to be fully understood. Thomas answered and said unto Him–I believe–with great and profound emotion, “My Lord and my God.” (John 20:28)

Jesus then taught a most critical truth, essential to our salvation and that of all mankind. He said, 

Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen and yet have believed.

We are saved first and foremost by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and by faith in the word of His authorized witnesses. We, like the disciples on that memorable Sunday, are required to believe the witness and testimony of the weak and unlikely of the earth—like Mary, out of whom went seven devils. Before we get to see and touch and know of a surety for ourselves, we are required to accept and exercise faith in the testimony of those who have seen and do know of a surety. Happy Easter!