No, REALLY, I have seen JESUS!

 

There are so many powerful pictures that come to mind when I think of EASTER. Of course, I think of the cross. I think of the scourging of JESUS for me. I think of the nails in his hands and fee. I think of his lifeless body being buried in the tomb. AND THE AMAZING MOMENT of RESURRECTION. All of those powerful visuals flood my mind during HOLY WEEK. 

But, one of my favorite moments is the encounter with THOMAS in John. I can imagine the other disciples trying to convince Thomas what they have seen. It would have been a heated confrontation, a battle of BELIEF!

"One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came. They told him, 'We have seen the Lord!' But he replied, 'I won't believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.' Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. 'Peace be with you,' he said. The he said Thomas, 'Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don't be faithless any longer. Believe!' 'My Lord and my God!' Thomas explained. Then Jesus told him, 'You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.'" (John 20:24-29, NLT)

Oh, how I would have loved to have been there! Jesus showing up in someone's life, is amazing, just as amazing as encountering our risen Savior!

I am sure I would have doubted just like THOMAS. But, no longer. I have seen JESUS. No, I haven't see his physical body with the nail scarred hands and feet. BUT, I HAVE SEEN JESUS in my life. I have seen his power, his grace, his mercy, his love on display for 65 years. I praise the wonderful gift I have received of eternal life, but I also praise God for the GIFT of his presence. I praise God that he walks with me and talks with me and he tells me I am his own. Praise God for his love in my life!

Heavenly Father, I turn to you in humble adoration during this week. I know, so many times, I have lived my life just like doubting Thomas. Forgive me for treating you as a myth, as a legend, instead of Savior. Fill me with your Holy Spirit. Fill me so that my cup overflows with your presence in my life. Help me to share that presence with all that I see. Amen!

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If you haven't repented of your sin, accepted what Jesus did for you on the cross, dying for your sins, or if you have not committed your life to Jesus, TODAY could be that day. give your life to the Lord. 

"because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved." (Romans 10:9-10, ESV)

If you gave your life to Jesus today, text the word "faith" to (765)-896-4302 and we will follow up with material for you and join you in your walk of faith!