A Lenten Devotion for Friday, April 18
- ontrakk
- 1 day ago
- 1 min read
John 20:27
“Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
I do wish the accounts of Jesus after his resurrection were a bit better organized. They are somewhat piecemeal, and seem inconsistent. But I also have to wonder how we would record a miraculous event even today, without the ability to take pictures, put notes in our phones, send texts, etc. A happening of this magnitude would have been so unsettling to the disciples, it is fortunate we have the accounts that we do have. We are asked to believe, to see the big picture, and to cast aside our doubt in favor of the miraculous truth!
Holy Lord, Fill our hearts this Easter weekend with the joy and hope of Easter! Amen
Becky, transforming
I think we all doubt at some point, when things are really going badly in our lives I think doubt may start to creep in but God is far more powerful than any doubt I may perceive. He is here for me now and always. Like many, Thomas needed to see for himself, he needed the proof.
Dear God, as our thoughts contemplate the most significant weekend in the history of mankind, help us to leave no room for doubt. Please be with me always and keep my thoughts focused on you and the gift of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Amen
Friday, April 18th, 2025 ( 39th day of Lent)
John 20:27
Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.”
Thomas expresses his need for physical evidence to believe because the human tendency is to rely on sight rather than faith. I would absolutely struggle to reconcile the resurrection with my understanding of reality, similar to Thomas who insisted on seeing and touching Jesus' wounds. The disbelief might be for the simple reasoning, logical limits, and the sheer impossibility of the event The experience would likely motivate you and I to share the news of Jesus' resurrection with the world,…
John 20:27
Thomas forever bears the title of “Doubting” even though he did not have the advantage of having seen what the others had seen on Jesus’ first visitation. I think there was a reason for his absence which I will preach on the 27th. In today’s reading, Lucado’s emphasis was on Jesus’ glorified body and His return “in just the same way.” I wonder about our “glorified bodies” in eternity. Will we, like Jesus, bear some stigmata, symbolizing our earthly trial? I sure hope it will not be my balky knees. I have heard this concept preached any number of times, but still have difficulty envisioning it. I suppose this is yet another among the mysteries of faith.
Prayer…