Clothesline 248 "We are the proof"

A man fell off a very steep cliff, but he managed to grab a tree limb which broke his fall. He was still, however, hanging over this very steep cliff. He looked at the danger below, then he looked up and cried out: “Is anybody up there?” And a voice from above said, “Yes, I’m here. I am the Lord. Do you believe me?” “Yes, Lord,” the man cried, “I really believe, but I can’t hang on much longer!” The Lord answered: “If you really believe, you have nothing to fear. Just let go of that branch.” There was a slight pause, and then the man shouted: “Is there anyone else up there?”…which leads us to Sunday’s story of Doubting Thomas.

A week after his Resurrection, Jesus appears to the apostles in the upper room, and Thomas isn’t there. You might think, since Jesus knows everything, why didn’t He wait until they were all there. But that was the point: Jesus knew that Thomas wouldn’t be there. And Jesus knew the absence of Thomas would be a teaching moment for us and all those who would profess to believe but sometimes have doubts.

It's easy to believe when things are going as planned. It’s easy to profess being a Christian when our lives are in order, when the kids aren’t getting into trouble, when the diet is working, when there are no illnesses in the family, when the sun is shining, and all is right with the world. But then there’s a cancer diagnosis, your kids have strayed into a chaotic world, every day another crisis arises, and you wonder where God is. That’s when Thomas should come to mind.

Thomas lived with the Lord of life for three years! He knew God, face to face…or did he? Surely, he wanted to believe that this Jesus was indeed…THE ONE. And he probably believed that…most of the time. But when push came to shove, when his faith was tested beyond a reasonable doubt, he needed proof…and Jesus accommodated! “Thomas, come here. See the nail marks. Put your hand in my side. Don’t doubt anymore; just believe!”

Doubt is a fact of human nature. Jesus knows we face doubt from time to time. We want proof that God is who he says he is. On those days when you need proof, look at the beauty of a sunrise, witness the birth of a child, an answered prayer for healing. Miracles, gifts from God, are all around us, especially when we need proof. WE ARE the proof

that Jesus is alive and well and risen from the dead! When the doubts appear, look to the one who gave you eternal life. That’s all the proof you need!