Read with me about Thomas in John 20:19-29. I firmly believe in divine appointments. Thomas wasn't in the room when Jesus met with the disciples on the same evening He arose from the grave. Do you ever wonder why Thomas wasn't present with them?
Remember, this was the same Thomas that asked Jesus in John 14:5, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way"? Jesus then told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me". "If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him".
There are times we simply don't recognize the Lord. We know that Thomas knew and loved the Lord, but he chose not to believe what the other disciples saw that night in the upper room. I love how the Apostle John stated in John 20:14 that Thomas insisted, saying, "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe". Thomas was giving himself an ultimatum! Proof is often needed by the natural man. But Thomas was a spiritual man, one who knew the Lord intimately and face to face. What hampered his ability to see without proof what he already knew in his heart? Or did he really believe what he had heard earlier from the brethren?
John 20:26 says, "And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said "Peace to you!" Do you think Thomas had peace after the other disciples told him he "missed seeing Jesus"? Then in verse 27 we read, "Then He said to Thomas, "Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing." Jesus turned toward Thomas and addressed him personally. Isn't that just like our loving Lord, to meet us at our weakest point with His immeasurable grace and mercy? Your spouse also needs to have that transformational meeting with Jesus - face to face! His doubts and fears can be overcome when Jesus dialogs with them on their level, just like Thomas.
In this new year, let us rejoice in the newness of life as we are transformed into the new creation Paul describes for us in II Corinthians. Seek God while He may be found. Reach out to Him in truth and sincerity. He is waiting with open arms!"The experience of salvation means that in your actual life things are really altered, you no longer look at things as you used to; your desires are new, old things have lost their power. If you are born again, the Spirit of God makes the alteration manifest in your actual life and reasoning, and when the crisis comes you are the most amazed person on earth at the wonderful difference there is in you. There is no possibility of imagining that you did it. It is this complete and amazing alteration that is the evidence that you are a saved soul." (Oswald Chambers - My Utmost for His Highest)
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new." II Corin. 5:17
"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11-13
Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”. It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion. It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together.
http://www.Godmissionpossible.com
All I can say is...touching post, Deborah! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Deborah. It's a great and encouraging post. We constantly should grow in our faith and trust. Once we get intimate with Jesus we never lack for understanding or recognizing the Lord. I continually pray for my husband Anatoly and believe that one day he will have that transformational meeting with Jesus - face to face. God bless you, dear Deborah.
ReplyDeleteThank you Lynn for your kind words! Luba - yes, they will one day behold the Face of Jesus and give Him their hearts in true worship! Amen!
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