The Risen Christ: Why We Don't Need the Same Proof that Thomas Demanded

John 20 tells us about three post-resurrection visits of Christ.

He visits Mary at the tomb to assure her of His resurrection and also to assure her of her salvation (John 20:1-18—note when He says, “my Father and your Father … my God and your God”). 

Next he visits the disciples who are gathered on the first day of the week, and He assures them of His resurrection. He also tells them about the Holy Spirit. 

Thomas isn't present when this happens, and he refuses to believe the rest of the disciples that it truly was Jesus who visited them (John 20:19-25).

So a week later Jesus appears to assure Thomas that He has surely risen, offering to let Thomas touch the wounds from His crucifixion which Thomas insisted he needed as proof that it was truly Christ resurrected (John 20:26-29).

We cannot see Jesus like Mary and the disciples saw Him, nor can we touch His wounds like Thomas, but Scripture assures us that those things aren't necessary. 

No one goes to hell because of lack of proof that the God of the Bible is real (Romans 1:19-20). Unbelief is a dark and stubborn choice (John 3:16-21). Everyone who seeks Christ wholeheartedly will find Him (Jeremiah 29:11). 

Hebrews 11:1 tells us that “faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” As Jesus explained to Thomas, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

If you'd like to hear me share an analogy about my personal testimony of coming to Christ, please see What Stacking Dolls Have Taught Me. I also recommend you read the one-minute devotion Why the Thief on the Cross Had Greater Faith than Most of the Disciples.

💙 Be sure to check out the Bible Love Notes devotional Wisdom for Life. Discounted on Lifeway, Amazon, and CBD. And sign up for a free subscription to Bible Love Notes one-minute devotions HERE.

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