Seeing is Believing vs Believing Without Seeing
Rev. Tetteh-Annor Larbi | November 19 2024 | John 20:24-29
KEY VERSE:
Then Jesus told him, 'Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. John 20:29 (NIV)
MESSAGE:
Thomas’s encounter with the risen Christ presents a compelling contrast between two types of faith: one anchored in physical evidence and another built on trust in the unseen. After missing Jesus’ initial appearance to the disciples, Thomas struggled to believe, insisting on tangible proof. This reliance on sensory validation reflects a natural human inclination. Jesus, in His grace, met Thomas where he was and provided the assurance he needed. Thomas’s response, “My Lord and my God!” demonstrates how encountering Christ transforms doubt into unyielding faith. Jesus’ words to Thomas, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed,” affirm a deeper dimension of faith that doesn’t rely on visible evidence. This faith rests on the certainty of God’s Word and His promises. Trusting in Jesus without requiring physical proof is a mark of spiritual maturity. Such faith draws us closer to the heart of God and strengthens us to navigate life’s uncertainties with confidence in His sovereignty.
Belief that depends on sight may offer momentary comfort, but faith grounded in trust carries us through challenges and strengthens our relationship with Christ. Jesus’ blessing extends to those who embrace this higher faith, finding peace in His words and guidance. As believers, we are called to rely not on what we can see but on the truth of who Jesus is and what He has accomplished. Through this faith, we grow deeper in our understanding of His love and purposes for us.
FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:
Faith thrives in trust. Anchor your belief in God’s Word and the promises made available through Christ, not in the fleeting validations of circumstances. Live out a faith that relies on His presence and provision, even when unseen.
PRAYER:
Lord, I place my trust in You, even when I cannot see. Strengthen my faith to rest on Your Word and the power of Your love. Help me walk boldly in the assurance of Your promises. Amen.
THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.
SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!
DAILY word study: BELIEVED
The word believed in Greek is πιστεύω (pisteuó), meaning to have faith, trust, or confidence. It denotes not merely intellectual agreement but a deep, personal reliance on something or someone.
In John 20:29, πιστεύω reflects the depth of trust Jesus commends in those who accept His truth without needing physical proof. πιστεύω signifies a faith that transcends sensory experience. It is a call to embrace the unseen realities of God’s kingdom, relying on Scripture and the Holy Spirit as their foundation. This deeper trust fosters spiritual maturity and positions believers to experience God’s presence and power in transformative ways.
Reflections:
True belief requires more than evidence; it demands trust. Are you living with a faith that rests in God’s promises, even when you cannot see the full picture?
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