“I will not believe….”
John 20:25b
Not
feeling especially religious this Easter?
Never really understood or been convinced that Jesus was someone
special? Not particularly impressed with
the testimony about Jesus you have heard from others? Are you somewhat doubtful that the things
said about Jesus are really true? In
fact, are you pretty sure that it would take a miracle to convince you to
change your mind about Jesus Christ?
Can
I tell you a secret? You’re not
alone. In fact, what I have just
described above is pretty much the way one of Jesus’ closest friends on earth
felt after the crucifixion. His name was
Thomas. He had spent 3 years with Jesus
and the other disciples. But after Jesus
had risen from the dead, and the other disciples saw him, Thomas doubted. In fact, he was bound and determined not to
believe. He said “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger
into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not
believe.” Actually, lest we be too hard on Thomas, we
should remember that all of the disciples were doubtful after the death of
Christ. The gospel of Mark says that
Jesus “appeared to the eleven as they sat
at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they
did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen (Mark 16:14).”
Jesus
is not put off by doubters. He comes to
them. He told Thomas “Reach your finger here and look at My hands;
and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.
(John 20:27).” Jesus meets us in our
unbelief, though He does not desire to leave us in unbelief.
This
Easter I ask my friends – maybe especially my doubting friends – to take a
second look at Jesus Christ. Consider
again His death and resurrection. If you
are willing to look again, then I suggest the following 3 things to help you in
your search.
1. Say a prayer. I know, at this point you may be unconvinced
that such things are even heard by anyone.
That’s okay. But why not, for the
sake of argument, assume that the Lord can hear you and ask Him for His
help. Pray something like this: “Lord, I am willing to be convinced of the
truth about Jesus Christ, but You will have to convince me. If what the Bible says about Jesus is true,
then I want to know Him. If what the
Bible says about me is true, then I need to know Him. And so Lord, open my eyes that I might see
Jesus. Amen.” You do not need to pray these exact
words. I am suggesting to you merely
that you approach the Lord with a sincere heart, so far as you are able.
2. Read the Bible
story about Jesus’ death and resurrection.
I suggest that you read the Gospel of John chapters 19-20. These are 2 relatively short chapters that
you can read in a single sitting of maybe 15 minutes total. Then, having read this account, go back a
little further in John’s gospel and read chapter 4. The 4th chapter of John tells the
story of Jesus and an unexpected encounter He makes with a Samaritan
woman. The whole purpose of Jesus death
and resurrection was so that He could save sinners; sinners like her, like me,
like you.
While
reading, be asking yourself questions like these:
·
Who
does the Bible say Jesus is?
·
Why
did He really come?
·
What
was the purpose of His death?
·
What
does His resurrection mean?
·
What
does He want me to do?
Don’t
have a Bible? You can read the Bible
online: ESV Bible Online
3. Go to a local church
and listen to the Bible being preached.
Don’t worry about what others will say or think. Just do it.
Go alone if you want. Do you know
someone who goes regularly to church?
Ask to tag along just this once – they won’t mind.
Jesus
– you see – is not put off by those who are yet unconvinced. He opened the eyes of His unbelieving
disciples. He is still opening the
hearts of countless converts around the world even today. Maybe this year – maybe this Sunday – you will
see something in Jesus Christ you never saw before. Easter, it seems, was intended for
doubters. Happy Easter.
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