NO BIBLE NO BREAKFAST DAILY BIBLE REFLECTIONS AND MORE

REFLECTION

The body of proof is the theme for our reflection. A proof is an evidence establishing a fact. Thomas requested the life body of Christ to proof that truly He resurrected. The request of Thomas was a bit bizarre because he was the only disciple who was not present when Jesus appeared yet he disbelieved the account or the fact presented by his fellow disciples and rather said “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” (John 20:25)

Thomas exhibited one of the natural inclinations of adult human beings. Children most often believe what their parents, teachers and trusted adults tell them to be a fact although they most of the time have no way of ascertaining the proof. An adult human being usually will demand evidence of fact before believing. I am tempted to conclude that any of the other disciples may have acted or responded in the manner Thomas did if they were absent before Jesus appeared. Thomas acted in a reasonable manner as expected of any human being who had witnessed the death of a person who is alleged to have resssurected.

The questions which Thomas should have reflected on upon hearing the good and miraculous news are, who was Jesus and did He ever mention that He was going to ressurect after His death? Did Jesus ever bring back to life the dead for which He has power over death? If He did then why doubt if the other disciples except him unanimously testify that they saw Jesus and heard him speak to them.  Dear friend in the Lord, we believe because we have a personal relationship with Christ, we believe because His words are true, we believe because He has not only revealed Himself to us but to others, therefore our witness is mutual and without any doubts. Jesus said to Thomas “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29). In other words, Jesus meant that the normal and reasonable order of proof is seeing is believing but in matters of faith, believing is seeing and experiencing, therefore in Hebrews 11:1-3, “… faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.” Again Mark 9:23 says “If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” Beloved in the Lord, just as you need no proof to come to the conclusion that you are sinner and stand condemned, you need no proof to believe that God loves you and He has proven this love through the suffering, death and resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ so that through repentance and faith you will be saved and have the gift of eternal life. Shalom.

PRAYER

“… help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24) Dear Lord this our prayer that our faith may be increased and made active. Amen

Jean-Paul Agidi (Rev)