“Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’” – John 20:29
Thomas only believed Jesus had risen from the dead after seeing Him, hearing Him, and touching His scarred hands and side. We don’t have that luxury. We don’t have the simplicity of having the central truth of our faith standing visibly in front of us and inviting us to touch Him with our hands. We must believe on faith. Faith that Scripture is telling the truth. Faith that fellows believers are telling the truth. You know what? Jesus blesses us for such faith!
If you believe that Jesus was crucified and rose from the dead you do so based on the testimony of Scripture. You do so by faith, not personal experience, sensory evidence, or rational deduction. Because you do, Jesus blesses you. “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” That’s you, enjoying Christ’s ongoing blessing!
You’re blessed by Christ for having genuine faith. You’re blessed to worship and be united with Christ by the testimony of Scripture and the evidence of the Holy Spirit in your life. God’s favor is in that blessing. The blessings of faith extend from today through all of eternity. Don’t lament that you weren’t there in the room that day, rejoice that Jesus favors you with a faith that isn’t dependent on personal experience.
Rejoice because you’ve overcome a much tougher set of obstacles to faith than Thomas. Rejoice because your faith can sustain you through other seasons of life in which your personal experience may fall short. Rejoice that Christ is with you and in you, regardless of whether you’re feeling it or not. Jesus loves you, this you know, for the Bible tells you so!