Seeing is Believing:

John 20:29 (read entire passage here)
 “Because you have seen me, you have believed;
Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed”

“It’s too hard to believe”.  He lay on his back on the hospital bed and spoke with a cracking voice, trying to hold back the tears.  “How can I believe in Him, when everyday I ask Him to take away the pain, and He never does.  I am like the blind man…asking Jesus for sight”. 

This young man had truly known the meaning of pain.  Memories of covering up dark bruises all over his body, with long sleeves and pants- even in the middle of summer, to hide his pain.  Hearing the echoes of worthlessness and degradation coming from the lips of the only two people who were supposed to cherish and love him.  Having come from a severely abusive family, he had never understood the meaning of true love.  He had never experienced compassion and care at the hands of another and his heart was wounded. 

“How can I believe in someone I can’t see, can’t feel, and can’t talk to?”

The reality is that some will never believe.  Some will never believe until they see, until they feel, until they hear.  Just like Thomas, they have faced great disappointment, with heads hung low; hearts weary; and hopes shattered.  “I cannot believe…unless I see”.

The Son of Man came to be seen, to be heard, to be felt.  He came to gather the weak, and show them His strength.  He came to touch the blind, and give them sight.  He came to touch the wounded ear and allow it to hear once again.  As Jesus called for the hand of Thomas, He called him to come and see; touch; feel; and know.  He called him to live.  He called him to believe.  Jesus met Thomas where he was at, he offered him what he needed and in the end Thomas boldly proclaimed: “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28).

All around us we are met by those who will not believe unless they see; unless they feel; unless they hear.  All around us are those who like Thomas, are longing to believe, if only they could see.  It is our eyes that they must look into, to see the Compassion and Hope.  It is our hands that they must touch for Strength and Courage.  It is our words that they must cling to, to hear the Truth that frees.  It is our love they must feel, to point them to their Lord. 

We are all that they will see...may we cause them to believe. 

Question for reflection: Which doubting Thomas's surround you?  What kind of life are you living to meet their doubt?