Trusting the Testimony

“Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

(John 20:29 ESV)

 

Many of us, today, struggle with faith. We find it difficult to believe in Jesus. We find it difficult as we are filled with so many questions and doubts.

 

“If only I could see Jesus,” we tell ourselves, “then I could believe.” “If only I could see one of his miracles,” we say, “then it would be easier.” “If only I could hear his voice, like his disciples,” we exclaim, “then I would have no doubts.”

 

In this way, we are a lot like Thomas. You may recall that he was absent when Jesus first appeared to his disciples. And, when they told him what had taken place, he refused to believe.

 

“Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” These were the words of Thomas after hearing their testimony. And these are the words to which Jesus referred when he appeared next.

 

One week later, Jesus appeared to his disciples again, this time while Thomas was present. And he invited Thomas to touch his wounds. He invited Thomas to stop doubting, and to believe.

 

At this point, Thomas exclaimed that Jesus was his Lord and his God. At this point, he confessed faith in Jesus. At this point he believed.

 

Jesus then spoke the words seen above. He pointed out that Thomas had believed because he had seen him. But those who believed without seeing, Jesus said, are blessed.

 

Jesus appeared to his followers for a period of forty days following his resurrection. At that point, he ascended into heaven. And, from that point on, the faith of believers was based not on sight. It was based on the testimony of Jesus’ followers.

 

Those who were there shared with others what they had seen. They shared with others what they had heard. And they shared with others what they had experienced.

 

This is what is meant when Jesus called his disciples to be his witnesses. They were called to bear witness to what they had seen. They were called to testify regarding Jesus, and what he had done.

 

Countless people, since, have received this testimony. They have believed this testimony. And this includes those of us today, who believe. It includes us, as the testimony of the apostles is what makes up the New Testament.

 

John alludes to this in the very next verse. In verse 30, of this chapter, he writes: “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

 

The reason, then, for John’s testimony is that we might believe. The reason for his testimony is that we might believe Jesus to be the Christ, the Son of God. The reason for his testimony is that, by believing, we might have life in his name. And the same, you see, is true of the other apostles, whose writings make up the New Testament.

 

And we, then, are the recipients of the blessing, referred to by Jesus as he spoke to Thomas. We are those who have believed without seeing. We are those who, unlike Thomas, have been brought to faith without having been there.

 

That being said, this reveals to us, also, the importance of Scripture. It reveals to us why we must faithfully make use of God’s Word. It’s in this way that we receive the testimony of the apostles. It’s in this way that we are brought to faith. And it’s in this way that we are blessed.