You Are Mentioned in the Bible!

The disciples must have been in a state of near panic after Jesus was crucified. Then when the women told them that Christ was resurrected, they were dumbfounded at such news that seemed ridiculous. It was just too good and too fantastic to believe!

However, in John  chapter 20, Jesus appeared to the disciples where they were hiding for fear of being arrested and likewise killed. Suddenly, their anxiety and distress became a time of rejoicing. It was a full day after the women told the men that Jesus was resurrected. That means on Monday Jesus came into the room that was locked for their dread of the Jews.

The Bible does not tell us why Thomas was absent from the group that day. However, when they told him that Jesus was resurrected, he was equally overwhelmed and rejected the unbelievable message from them. Thomas said that he wanted the same equal opportunity that the other disciples had the previous day by actually seeing and touching Christ.

Later, Jesus appeared in the same room with all the disciples present including Thomas. Can you imagine how overpowering that was for all of them to see a man who was murdered and his body mutilated but returned to life through the resurrection power of God? This time Jesus directly addressed Thomas. He told Thomas to examine the wounds that Jesus suffered during the crucifixion. Versus 28-29 are two of my favorite Bible verses.

Thomas was astounded by the evidence that Christ stood before him alive, Thomas said to Jesus, “My Lord and my God.” What would you say if you were face to face with the resurrected Christ? I can see him falling on his knees. Abruptly, Thomas was convinced that the leader of the disciples was resurrected and returned back to them.

Verse 29 is so profound. Here is where you are mentioned in the Bible. Jesus looked down through the many centuries to our time period and told Thomas, “Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” That is, you and me, friend! We have not had the same privileges as the disciples. We have not seen miracles performed. We have not been able to touch the wounds Jesus experienced. BUT Jesus knew that there would rapidly come a time in which believers would have to base their salvation faith on believing what Jesus did.

We have not seen Jesus bodily. Our trust in him is strictly on faith. It is true that in faith we can know he conquered death in such an elaborate manner. All that we might have feared is suddenly of no consequence. Our faith in Christ comes from the unction of the Holy Spirit and the written Word of God. Through faith, we believe because we believe. The disciple John said, “hereby we do know that we know him.” (1 John 2:3) Our faith is stronger than the disciples because we have no tangible proof or appearance of the resurrected Christ before us. We take God at his word, apply it to our spirits. We have trusted Christ to conquer death for us because he has also conquered it for himself. Can you say that you know that you know?