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
Those who had walked with Jesus while He was on earth had a need to see Him after the resurrection. It’s not hard to understand from a human perspective, but Jesus calls us to believe from a spiritual perspective. This is the next step of our faith, to believe without seeing, to trust the promise Jesus made even without seeing the effect personally; at least not yet.
Let’s not be too hard on Thomas when he says “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” ( John 20:25). Remember the other disciples didn’t believe the testimony of the women returning from the tomb. Only after Jesus appears to them are they completely convinced. Thomas wasn’t with them for whatever reason, and now is only asking for the same experience they had. Jesus appears again and Thomas is now a believer.
Jesus said “blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed”, which includes all of us. We are called to believe the witness that has been passed down to us even though we didn’t have the chance to see Jesus while He was on earth. We are also called to share our “believing without seeing” with others in order to make disciples of all the world.
Loving Lord, we are blessed to know You through the presence of Your Holy Spirit and the lessons we have been taught. Help us to believe without seeing, not needing a sign but trusting in Your everlasting love. Amen.