Give Me Proof
“…Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” Vs 29 Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.” 30 Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name. NASB John 10:25, 29-31.
Thomas wanted physical proof. A practical fisherman, who dealt with actuals, not fantasy, was probably kicking himself for abandoning his “show me” principles for some pie in the sky belief that Jesus was a savior. His disappointment in himself at believing mere words hung around his neck like a heavy melancholy anchor.
What is your “unless I see or touch” moment? … Unless I see those who wronged me get what they deserve. Unless my faith is rewarded and I touch a house I own or hold the money in my hand. Unless my marriage is healed, unless the person we love stops destroying their life. Unless I see my child no longer struggle with mental health. Unless I feel His presence, and hear His direction…
Jesus isn’t afraid of giving proof and doesn’t condemn Thomas for demanding it. Jesus does say, “Happy are those who haven’t received physical proof and believe.” I think this was both a direct comment to Thomas then and to us now. “Thomas, if you believed the other disciples, you wouldn’t have had the burden of sadness this whole week.” Today He might be saying to us, “if you understand that my offer of freedom is a fact, you wouldn’t have to carry the burden of uncertainty in that area of your life. “
What happiness, freedom, hope, do we miss out on because of our insistence on proof before belief? What area of our life do we need to embrace faith without tangible proof, let Christ carry the burden, and experience freedom this week?
If this encouraged you, check out more articles from our Flatirons Spiritual Formation Team for practical tools, encouragement, and ways to grow in your faith and leadership. Click here.