Seeing and Not Believing

I chose this passage from the Vanderbilt Lectionary for today, and contemplated over it the way we’ve been talking about to see which passage stood out to me.

24:41 While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, "Have you anything here to eat?"

The disciples saw the risen Christ in flesh and blood, but still weren’t sure it was Him. It made me think of Doubting Thomas who had to see before believing. I found his story in John 20:24, which is basically the same story as above, only adds that Thomas wasn’t there. The disciples told him later what had happened and he didn’t believe it. He said that he’d have to see it himself before he believed.

A week later, Jesus appeared again to the disciples when Thomas was there, and had Thomas touch Him. Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and believed.”

So now, here we are, 2,000+ years later, and we’re certainly not going to see Jesus in the flesh and blood until He comes back for His second coming, according to scripture (check out Matthew 24).

So I want you to think about this next question, and then share with us your answer if you like: Where or when do you see God? (People share)

Next, where or when don’t you see God when perhaps you should? (People share)

So, I think we all agree that God is everywhere, in and among all creatures and living things. It’s up to us to keep our eyes and hearts open in order to recognize that He is with us at all times, good and bad.

And what about Jesus? Do we see Jesus as well as God? I love this passage in Matthew 25:40. “Whatever you do for the least of my brothers, that you do unto me.” So we should see Jesus in everyone, and whatever we do to or for others, we’re doing that to Jesus.

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”

By following Jesus, talking to Him, praying to Him, the Holy Spirit will dwell in us, open our eyes, our hearts, and show us how to be like Jesus, loving and caring for all around us.

Amen