Then He said to Thomas, “Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing.” Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.” (John 20:27-29, NASB)
This passage of scripture, along with Simon Peter’s declaration that Jesus is “the Christ of God,” is among my favorites. Once awhile back it provided me with an “AHA!” moment; a forehead-slapping “I coulda had a V8” moment. Or you could just say the light came on.
The story takes place after Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. He had previously appeared before His disciples, but Thomas had been absent. When told that the risen Lord had been with them, Thomas was skeptical, and said he would only believe if he could examine Jesus’ wounds. When he finally saw the Lord, Thomas the Doubter became a believer!
Caption: The Incredulity of St Thomas, by Caravaggio, c. 1602
While growing up, my Mom and Dad did a good job of teaching me that Jesus was the Son of God. But I needed that one extra push off the cliff to understand that Jesus is God! For me, that changed everything. Once a person is confronted with the statement that “Jesus is God,” he or she must make a decision: He either IS God, or He isn’t. I am convinced! And since He IS God and Lord, I needed to start acting like it!
Some religions teach, and many other people believe, that Jesus was a good man, a great philosopher, or a mere prophet. Those are all impossible. Jesus claimed to be God. He accepted worship as God. The Temple authorities had Him executed for blasphemy because they understood He claimed to be God. A good man, a great teacher or a prophet could never claim to be God. Only God could! One author said that the only choices about Jesus were that He was either a liar, a lunatic, or Lord!
Jesus is my Lord and my God! Who do you say He is? Knowing this, I must study His commandments, and try my best to follow them. Knowing Him and His promises of everlasting life gives me hope for today and tomorrow and all the days to follow!
Worship: My Jesus, My Savior, by Hillsong Worship