John 20:24-29

24. Now Thomas (also known as Didymus[a]), 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.”

Lead the Recovery of Faith (John 20:24-29)

 < Lead the Recovery of Faith >
 
  After comforting Thomas whose mind was now opened, Jesus said, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (v.29). What Jesus wanted most was faith. Believe not because of seeing or miracle. God remembers the true faith which keeps going despite difficulties even if there are no miracles. Thomas wanted to ‘see’ although he had heard what other disciples have told him about the resurrection of Jesus. He put emphasis on seeing more than believing. He was faithful for his own reason but Jesus wanted his faith instead of reason.
 
  A lot of people say that they will believe in God when they are fully aware of Him, but this kind of people can’t. God comes as a father to those who believe beforehand. Why is the anxiety getting bigger? Because of humans’ insignificant reasoning knowledge. There was a hero who was passing by an island. When he heard a sound, he realized that it was the sound of a witch and he suffered from fear and anxiety very soon. Afterward, when a poet was passing by the same island, he just sang a song and wasn’t afraid of the sound. This is the difference between knowledge and faith—no faith, no peace; yes faith, yes peace.
 
  Listen to the word of Jesus which was given to Thomas as if it was for you, and don’t have a waiving faith. We, human beings, sometimes can’t help others despite our wish due to certain circumstances, but God can help us forever. In Penses 430, Pascal says, “Our only misfortune comes from being broken away from God. Do not expect truth or consolation from people.”
 
  Human love is a moment in time, but God’s love is consistent and eternal. He chose you before the creation. Don’t worry about tomorrow. God will protect you tomorrow as He has done so far. When trouble comes, He will either protect you from it or give you the power to get over it. You sometimes encounter closed doors in life. At that moment, keep knocking and pushing on it without giving up. Then it will open someday and you will meet the love of God.
 
  - Excerpt from < Lead the Recovery of Faith >

ⓒ Pastor Lee Hangyu http://www.john316.or.kr