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Resurrected Christ Appears
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evidences Christ had given them in the prophecies. “Jesus came, the
doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, ‘Peace to you!’”
Turning to Thomas, He said, “Reach your finger here, and look
at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side.
Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” The doubting disciple knew
that none of his companions could have told the Master about his
unbelief. He had no desire for further proof. His heart leaped for
joy, and he threw himself at the feet of Jesus, exclaiming, “My Lord
and my God!”
Jesus accepted his acknowledgment but gently reproved his un-
belief: “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed.
Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” If the
world now followed the example of Thomas, no one would believe,
for all who receive Christ must do so through the testimony of others.
Many who, like Thomas, wait for all cause of doubt to be removed
will never have that desire fulfilled. They gradually become con-
firmed in unbelief. They are sowing seeds of doubt, and they will
have a harvest of doubt to reap. Then when faith and confidence
are most essential, many will find themselves powerless to hope and
believe.
Jesus’ treatment of Thomas shows how we should treat those who
make their doubts prominent. Thomas had been most unreasonable
in dictating the conditions of his faith, but Jesus’ generous dealings
with him broke down all the barriers. We seldom overcome unbelief
by controversy. But if we reveal Jesus, in His love and mercy, as
the crucified Savior, many onceunwilling lips will speak Thomas’s
acknowledgment, “My Lord and my God!”
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