Reading… and Thinking

Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

– John 20:29 (ESV)

Thomas probably doesn’t deserve his “dubious” reputation. Anyone who refuses to believe something unless they see for themselves is called a "Doubting Thomas". But none of the disciples believed what the women reported when they came back from the tomb – so they all had the same weakness!

Still, what Jesus says to Thomas is an important principle. We couldn't function in our daily lives without trusting all kinds of information, which we haven't personally proven. Especially this is so regarding the Word of God. We didn’t see Jesus teach, weren't there to see his death. So we might doubt that he died and rose almost 2000 years ago.

Sometimes we long for some visible sign, to reinforce our faith. We think, “If only there was some clear, miraculous evidence, then we wouldn't be plagued by doubt!” But we’re kidding ourselves – it just isn't so. The people of Israel who came out of Egypt weren't any more wicked or faithless than we are. They saw sign after sign, and still lost faith in their God. People saw Jesus do amazing things, and yet called for him to be crucified. So seeing is NOT believing, at least not necessarily. Belief comes from being convinced, and that conviction comes from weighing the testimony and coming to the conclusion that nothing else makes sense. Whether you've seen with your eyes or not.

The book of Acts is filled with examples of people refusing to believe, in spite of what they see. And also people believing, because of the testimony of the eyewitnesses – not because they were witnesses themselves. Whether or not they personally witnessed miracles was not the key factor. Like them, even without miracles, we come to conviction due to the credibility of the testimony – if we're willing to receive it.

Did Jesus rise from the dead? Yes, I believe he did. Not because I saw it, and not because I find it a nice, comfortable thing to believe. I believe it because I’ve weighed the evidence for myself – and the testimony of those who claimed to be eyewitnesses is vastly more credible than any of the other explanations that have been advanced. Something got Christianity started, and caused explosive growth in the first century, in spite of serious persecution. The only explanation that doesn’t completely break down turns out to be the explanation offered by the apostles: they were eyewitnesses of a risen Christ!