After Jesus rose from the grave on the third day, everything began to change. You see, many turned against him because they did not understand his ministry. When Mary Magdalene said she had seen the Lord and He had told of things about her that no one knew.
The disciples were together and Jesus came and stood in the midst of them. They were doubtful that He was the Christ and that He had risen. He showed them the scars in his hands and the wound in his side. Then they were glad and believed. Jesus said, "Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me even so send I you." Jesus breathed on them and said to them, receive ye the Holy Ghost. All believed except Thomas. He said he would believe only if he could put his finger in the nail prints in his hands and thrust his hand into the wound in his side where they had torn him with spears.
Eight days later they again came together and Jesus stood in their midst. He said Thomas come hither and feel the scars in my hands and the hole in my side. When this was done Thomas said this is my Lord and my God. Now he believed but Jesus replied to him saying, "Thomas you believe because you have seen me. But blessed are they who have not seen me, yet they believe." Do you have a problem with belief in the Lord whom you have not seen?
We claim that we have faith and yet we can see the working of miracles and we do not totally accept them as the working of the divine Christ. We read in his word of many wonderful miracles such as the woman with the issue of blood. She spent all that she had and still she was not healed. She had great faith and sought to find the healer. Then she saw Jesus and she spoke of being healed if she could but touch the hem of his garment. This is a true believer who showed her love and faith for Jesus and she was made whole. The account of this was found in the 20th chapter of John, beginning with verse19.
There are so many times in the word of God that we find Jesus performing things that should have been impossible. Just as the lame man who sat at the gate seeking alms of those who passed by. Peter and John came to the place that the man was sitting and he expected them to give an offering. Peter said to him, "Silver or gold have I none but such as I have give I unto thee. In the name of Jesus rise up and walk." The man rose and began to leap for joy. He knew the power of a healing Christ and his belief became strong.
Then there was the story of the disciples who were in the boat fishing and a storm arose. They feared for their lives as the storm raged. Jesus came on the scene and all He had to say was peace be still and the storm calmed. There are so many such examples in the Bible; this should cause us to have a great faith and believe with an unwavering love that He is truly the risen Christ.
Have you ever needed a touch in your life and, when all else failed, you finally turned to Jesus and, through your trust in Him, you received the help you needed. We cannot doubt as did Thomas or we will not obtain the help we need; trust in the Lord Jesus and He will provide. God cares and wants you to be a faithful servant. Just look around you at the shape of our world. We have never seen so much unrest and confusion in the United States of America. Our only hope is in Him. Unless we turn our lives back to the ways of righteousness, we will never be in a position of spending eternity in a place not made with hands. We must give our complete mind body and soul to the work of the Lord if we expect him to bring us through these perilous times.
Pastor Bob has many times told us of the right way to come to God, who is kind and loving but expects us to keep his commandments. He has the answers, so we need to be still and listen to the instructions and you will find peace in a world filled with turmoil. Come worship with us and hear the word preached from a man of God who will look out for your soul.
We are the little white church at the top of the hill in Lanagan, Mo. You will be received with love and accepted as one of God's Children. Our services are Sunday at 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. and Bible study on Wednesday evening at 6 p.m.
We will be waiting for you.
Opinions expressed are those of the author.