Blessed Are Those Who Have Not Seen Yet Believe

Day 1

11But Mary stood outside the tomb, crying. As she was crying, she stooped to look into the tomb.12She saw two angels in white sitting where Jesus’s body had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet.13They said to her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “Because they’ve taken away my Lord,” she told them, “and I don’t know where they’ve put him.”14Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know it was Jesus.15“Woman,” Jesus said to her,“why are you crying? Who is it that you’re seeking?” Supposing he was the gardener, she replied, “Sir, if you’ve carried him away, tell me where you’ve put him, and I will take him away.”16Jesus said to her, “Mary.” Turning around, she said to him in Aramaic, '“Rabboni!”' ​— ​which means “Teacher.”
JOHN 20:11-16 (CSB)

Commentary

It was the third day, and to the disciples, Jesus was gone. The hope that He was indeed the Savior was all but lost to them. Though Jesus told them prior to His capture that He would be killed and then rise again and meet them in Galilee, none of them took His words to heart.

The women went to Jesus’ tomb to perform the body preparation that was common in those times for the newly dead bodies of loved ones. I don’t know if it was because of this that the women were the first to see their risen Messiah or if Jesus had a reason to reveal Himself to them first.

Regardless, these verses can only begin to paint the picture of the joy that filled their hearts as He revealed Himself to them and they remembered His prior words. Imagine if you were in their place during that time. I believe that when we go to be with the Lord, we will experience the joy they experienced and more.

Soul Search

Can I feel the pure joy of Christ that God has instilled within me?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for the resurrection of Jesus. You, Father, have given me a hope that I’ve never had before, one that means more than literally anything else in existence. This hope is the eternal life that You have given me in Jesus, my precious Savior. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen

Day 2

11But these words seemed like nonsense to them, and they did not believe the women.12Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. When he stooped to look in, he saw only the linen cloths. So he went away, amazed at what had happened.
LUKE 24:11-12 (CSB)

Commentary

I can only imagine the rate at which the hearts of these women must’ve been beating. The joy inside of them surely was ready to burst out of them. They knew what they saw, who they saw, and how very real it was.

Sadly, the men did not believe the words of these women. Peter and John went to look for themselves. While they were amazed, we learn that though they believed, they had yet to understand.

Even the Jewish priests and elders knew that something incredible had transpired and the impact it could have on those in the region. As a result, they were paying off the guards to lie about the events. I can’t tell you what they were thinking, but it seems apparent that even they could not deny what had taken place. It was all foretold in the OT Scriptures. Even with so much evidence, it’s sad to know that there are still those who will deny Jesus to their own peril.

11As they were on their way, some of the guards came into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened.12After the priests had assembled with the elders and agreed on a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money13and told them, “Say this, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him while we were sleeping.’14If this reaches the governor’s ears, we will deal with him and keep you out of trouble.”15They took the money and did as they were instructed, and this story has been spread among Jewish people to this day.
MATTHEW 28:11-15 (CSB)

Soul Search

Have I had times when I’ve struggled with my faith, even knowing what God’s Word has said?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, forgive me for my times of disbelief. Times when You have spoken to my heart, yet I hardened it. Times when Your Word had a message for me, yet I brushed it off. Please help me to remove any hardness I might have and to fully trust in You every moment of every day. In Jesus’s name, I pray. Amen

Day 3

24Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they didn’t see him.”25He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken!26Wasn’t it necessary for the Messiah to suffer these things and enter into his glory?”27Then beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted for them the things concerning himself in all the Scriptures.
LUKE 24:24-27 (CSB)

Commentary

Jesus appeared, though in a veiled form, to disciples who were walking to the town of Emmaus. Their brothers had gone to the tomb, saw it in the condition that the women described, but because they didn’t see Him, these men were still in that state of sorrow and mourning.

Jesus rebukes them and explains what had already been written about Him in the Scriptures. I read His rebuke and cannot help but hear His words in a firm, but gentle and loving voice. I don’t think He was shouting them down or even angry with them, but gentle as He began to open their hearts.

32They said to each other, “Weren’t our hearts burning within us while he was talking with us on the road and explaining the Scriptures to us?”
LUKE 24:32 (CSB)
While on the road, they couldn’t see Jesus as Himself, but His effect on their hearts was certainly felt. Just as the Lord works on each one of our hearts. The eyes don’t need to see to believe. Once God touches the heart, faith can come in.

Soul Search

How has the Lord made my heart burn inside of me?

Prayer

Lord Jesus, though I cannot physically see You at this time, I can feel Your effect on my heart. It burns for You, Lord, in a way that I cannot fully explain. When I wake, You’re on my mind; when I lay down to sleep, my mind is still stayed on You. Oh, how I long for the day when I will see You face to face. In Your wonderful name, I pray. Amen

Day 4

24But Thomas (called “Twin”), one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came.25So the other disciples were telling him, “We’ve seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “If I don’t see the mark of the nails in his hands, put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will never believe.”26A week later his disciples were indoors again, and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said,“Peace be with you.”27Then he said to Thomas,“Put your finger here and look at my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Don’t be faithless, but believe.”28Thomas responded to him, “My Lord and my God!”
JOHN 20:24-28 (CSB)

Commentary

The eyewitness testimony of the others wasn’t enough for Thomas. He had to see and touch Jesus to believe. I can understand the thoroughness of his thoughts. You can’t just believe everything other people tell you. We each must seek out the Lord on our own, to examine the evidence for ourselves.

Jesus knows each one of us better than we know ourselves. He knew what Thomas would respond to and gave him that opportunity.

Jesus has revealed Himself to each of us in some way that He knew we’d respond to. It might’ve been His voice through Scripture; it might’ve been a vision or dream of Him; maybe an undeniable impression on your heart; or any number of ways.

God doesn’t want to string you along or tease you; there isn’t any situation where you were so close but He pulled the rug out from under your feet. No, He pursues and pursues, wanting each one to believe. It’s your choice if you want to believe, not believe, or almost believe. But only one of those gets you eternal life.

Soul Search

How did the Lord call out to me?

Prayer

Lord God, thank You for pursuing me and never giving up on me. For giving me every opportunity to accept Your Gospel. I love you, Lord, as You have first loved me. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen

Day 5

29Jesus said, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.”
JOHN 20:29 (CSB)

Commentary

It took seeing and touching for Thomas to fully believe. For you and me, we don’t usually have that kind of experience, yet the Lord still touches our hearts. There is no need to see or touch Jesus in order to believe. There is more evidence for Him, His crucifixion, His resurrection, and His deity than information for any other figure in antiquity.

There is no blindness in our faith, no “maybes” or “what ifs”. The proven record of OT prophecy assures us of who Jesus is by the hundreds of prophecies that He fulfilled, which were written centuries before Him. The thorough eyewitness testimony of the Gospels gives us a clear presentation of the events that transpired during that God-appointed time in history.

9He made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he purposed in Christ10as a plan for the right time  ​— ​to bring everything together in Christ, both things in heaven and things on earth in him.
EPHESIANS 1:9-10 (CSB)

With Jesus, there is certainty of what is to come and where you and I are headed after we depart these earthly bodies. You can’t say that for any of the religions of this world. If you’re trusting in Jesus for salvation, then you, my friend, are blessed beyond anything you could know at this time.

Soul Search

Do I remember when the Lord opened up my spiritual eyes?

Prayer

Lord Jesus, all of creation speaks of You. History speaks of You, and the Bible speaks of You. There is nowhere a person can go that You are not there. For some, that scares them to death. But for me, I am comforted knowing that You are here with me every second of every day. Thank You for this gift of faith that I have in You. It’s in Your name I pray. Amen