Stop Doubting and Believe – June 7, 2021

“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.”
John 20:25

Stop Doubting and Believe

One of the most remarkable characteristics of the Bible is that it tells even the embarrassing stories of its heroes. For example, one of Jesus’ closest followers, named Thomas, doubted that Jesus rose from the dead. Thomas told the other disciples, “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” (John 20:25).

I appreciate that John recorded Thomas’s moment of doubt because I have been there myself. I have doubted that Christianity was true, that Jesus rose from the dead, and that God cares about me now and in the life to come.

How about you? Have you ever found yourself demanding more evidence? Have you ever thought, Unless God does something special to prove that he really exists and cares for me, I will not believe?

Surprisingly, Jesus responded to Thomas’s doubt by visiting him in person. Jesus told him, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe” (John 20:27).

And he did. Thomas stopped doubting and believed that Jesus was his living Lord. Thomas said to Jesus, “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28).

Now maybe you are thinking, Well, that’s great for Thomas. He overcame his doubts because he got to see Jesus. But how am I supposed to overcome my doubts?

The writer John tells us. He said that “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” (John 20:31). In other words, we overcome our doubts as we read the words of the Bible. Through the Word of God, Jesus shows up in our lives in a similar way that he showed up for Thomas. The words in the Bible are not just simple letters on a page, they are living words coming from our living Savior.

Put your finger in your Bible. See it. Reach out your hand, turn its pages and meditate on God’s story for you. Stop doubting and believe.

Prayer:
Lord, I do believe. Help me overcome my unbelief. Amen.