Seeing is believing, but…
by Alan and Clarice Smith 23 May 2022
First published on 14/5/2020. We continue to publish new thoughts but hope you find encouragement and blessing from revisiting some which we have published previously.
Reading from Acts 1:1-8
Dear Theophilus:
In my first book I wrote about all the things that Jesus did and taught from the time he began his work until the day he was taken up to heaven. Before he was taken up, he gave instructions by the power of the Holy Spirit to the men he had chosen as his apostles.
For forty days after his death he appeared to them many times in ways that proved beyond doubt that he was alive. They saw him, and he talked with them about the Kingdom of God. And when they came together, he gave them this order: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift I told you about, the gift my Father promised. John Baptised with water, but in a few days you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit.
When the apostles met together with Jesus, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time give the Kingdom back to Israel?”
Jesus said to them, “The times and occasions are set by my Father’s own authority, and it is not for you to know when they will be. But when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will be filled with power, and you will be witnesses for me in Jerusalem, in all Judaea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
Witness to the resurrection of Christ
I always wonder why people have a preference for ‘seeing’ and ‘touching’ things, in order to substantiate their belief. Does it help their unbelief? For centuries unbelievers have requested ‘proof’ of the resurrection of Jesus. It is true that to see and touch may help us to believe.
The experience of Thomas, however, is a reminder that there is a greater satisfaction - and that is to have the faith to believe without seeing and touching.
We go through life enjoying the air we breathe. It is an invisible reality we take for granted until something happens to us and we have to receive oxygen medically in order to survive, as has been reported during the Coronavirus pandemic.
Like the air we breathe, there are other invisible realities such as love, trust, confidence, friendship and patriotism, upon which our lives are based.
Let us remember that although we cannot see or touch God, God is real. People today, like many before us, want ‘convincing proof’ of the resurrection. God has already provided the evidence in the appearances of the Risen Christ to the disciples.
He presented himself alive to his eleven disciples in Jerusalem (Mark 16:14 and so on)
Showed them ‘his hands and his side’ (John 20:26-29)
Appeared to seven disciples at the Sea of Tiberius (John 21:1-23)
And on the mountain in Galilee (Matthew 28:16-20 and so on
And finally to Paul (1 Corinthians 15:8).
Prayer
Lord, help our unbelief. Help us to accept, in faith, your resurrection and witness to the truth of your living presence in our lives. Amen
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Prayer
God, you are the way, the truth and the life,
You are the head of our household of faith.
May we live together in your love;
May we speak together of your truth;
May we share together as your family;
May we follow together in your Way.
We ask these prayers in Jesus’ name.
Amen