Blessed are the sheep
Christian, here is a blessing for you from Jesus: “Blessed are you who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:29
@johnpiper
This struck me hard as I sat down after my evening run. It’s a verse that I’ve overlooked time and time again and one I hope that you do not make the mistake of overlooking it as I have time and time again.
The context? Thomas. Doubting Thomas who I have compared my own attitude to, that of the skeptic, the cynic, the one who loved Jesus dearly but could not accept the fact that Jesus had risen from the dead because it was impossible, even for as great a person and teacher as the man he’d followed for the past few years. In an act of grace, Jesus appeared to him when the other disciples around and says
“Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
As much as I’d like to think of myself as a level headed Christian who knows enough to believe, God blesses those who needed no greater proof than his word and the blessed promise that Jesus was who he said he was. In todays context it makes no difference even though no one will see him physically, many believe simply because they’ve been told that he is the Son of God.
No theological studies, no soul searching that takes years upon years upon years, no debating with Christians, no knowledge of ancient texts, no discussions with prominent Christian leaders - just being told that God sent Jesus to die on the cross for we who were sinners, and that by grace we can face life into the everlasting, they believe.
Faith like a child, faith like a fool, call it what you will - but that’s faith. Blessed indeed are those who have not seen, and yet have believed.
