Daily Devotion: Blessed Without a Doubt

Scripture:

John 20: 24-29

Main Verse:
John 20: 29
Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

Observation:
When Jesus resurrected, He appeared to many people. First, He appeared to Mary Magdalene and three other women. Then, he appeared to Peter and the disciples, without Thomas. It was this time that Thomas doubted that the Lord has risen. He wanted to make sure that it was the Lord that the disciples have seen so he said that he wanted to touch the Lord's wounds before he believes. When Jesus appeared once again to the disciples, this time with Thomas there, Thomas believed because he has personally experienced the Lord's presence. Thomas was neither rebuked nor scolded by the Lord. Jesus just wanted Thomas to understand that he should never have doubted that the Lord will rise again from the dead, and that he should have believed Jesus when He said He will rise again on the third day after his death.

Application:
"To see is to believe" is such a common saying. People say this when they want to ask for proof or scientific evidence that something is real or true, or that something exists. Thomas the apostle was with Jesus for a long time before his death, and he also saw the Lord after his resurrection. So it is but natural for him to say that he will only believe if he personally sees the Lord and touches His wounds. But with our faith in God, the saying does not apply. Have we personally seen Jesus? Have we personally eaten and drank with him, and talked with him? We have never had any real personal experience of meeting Jesus when He was still alive, yet we believe in Him because His Words and the account of those disciples and His multitude of followers tell us about their personal encounters with the Lord. We have also had our personal encounter with Jesus when we accepted Him as our Lord and Savior, and we continue to have personal encounters with Him through our prayer and devotion time. Be glad, for we can "feel" the Lord's presence during these instances. So even if we do not see the Lord, we believe. We should rejoice for are blessed without a doubt.

Prayer:
My Lord and Savior, thank you for letting me experience your presence in my quiet times with you. Thank you for the blessing that my faith in you brings. May I continue to have personal encounters with you. AMEN.