Thomas was sadly incredulous. So many things we don't see but believe… Love, hate, electricity, wind, for a few examples. This helps us to understand why the Lord affirms that blessed are those who believe without the necessity of seeing with natural eyes . To God be all glory. Amen
Spurgeon always has some good suggestions. And then on this teaching so many things that have happened in my life are brought to mind that I couldn't describe them in a few paragraphs of testimony
My late husband doubted too. He used to say "Why don't we see miracles now?". I would remind him that God performs miracles everyday that we are not privy to! I'm happy that, before he died, he did come to the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
I must've been a teenager when the first thought came to mind, "I would believe in God, but it would never be by you, or anyone, who is telling me about God, and His existence. If I believe, I will believe because He shown me Himself." This wasn't out of unbelief, but more from a hurt place, I suppose. I didn't need proof, I think I was just hurt them, but it wasn't a bad thing to ask. Doesn't Paul even say, "For everyone who calls on the Name of the Lord, Shall Be Saved."? I think if it's from a place of sincerity and genuineity, God doesn't have a problem with showing you. Who can look at nature, the sun, the moon, and all the cosmos, or creatures in them, and not think something greater by their Creator, and had made them? Such a terrible thing to say, even as I was then, as I would speak or pray to God growing up, and most of the time out of fear of the situations I was experiencing. Like some S.O.S. prayer, and pleasing for help. What amazes me even more today, after knowing more, is His Amazing Grace. He heard those prayers from a clueless and ignorant soul, and He answered all of them in His own way and time. Those circumstances didn't come without consequences, but with mercy. Who doesn't look to something more, someone greater, supernatural, in any time of trouble? Even an atheist does this, and even after my moments as a young 6-7-8yr old, there was a seed inside me, after hearing all those people sing, praise, and worship God in the church. It left me with an idea of God, someone to think about and look for, and it's the Spirit that has us cry out, Abba, Our Father. His Seed, it just needed more time and watering, but it was through others pointing me that way, through Prayer and conversations with Him, in those times, when I noticed Him moving more in my own life. Seeking signs, miracles, and wonders for proof, are from a place of pride, for those who would like to know God and experience His Presence, but for those who aren't looking for them, we see them, we see Him, as they follow us where He is.
Lord Jesus, thank You for the gift of the cross, and giving me eyes to see. "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen" [Heb 11v1]
One thing no one touched on here, but from the Text of Scripture, the scene is descriptively horrific! Jesus has just been crucified dead and buried after being beaten and scourged so severely "no one could tell whether it was a man standing there" (Isaiah ch.52- ch.53). Everyone is locked AND hiding in the house for safety. There is terrifying hate in the streets! Then in this above setting the Scripture's account to us Thomas said these things.
What is not touched on much is God's omnipresence in our salvation. Jesus was crucified omnipresent beside the Theif that he believe unto godly sorrow and saving Faith in just such a scene similiar, but worse than above. God is also omnipresent to save in His Own Way to Thomas here; as well too, in every believers unique free-will circumstances, these do not encumber Jesus nor hinder Him whatsoever.
The magnitude geometry of omnipresence for God to each and all called and those He aforeknew would come, is easy for Him and to us- each and all- such Amazing Grace!
Yeshua Jesus is omnipresent to His- all who are His Own in both salvation and believing.
Jesus is equally omnipresent to all who hate and reject Him unto their destructions whether you believe it or not.
Jesus was there for me personally, and once I gave that exact same cry, "How can I do this to Jesus?" I broke weeping and repentant and rushed away from sin and was hasty to be rid of it utterly for Yeshua Jesus.
Miracles still happen; when they do, it is my experience they always testify to the glorious power of Jesus Christ to save! Asking God to send dreams and visitations to unbelievers is a hopeful prayer, not a doubting one.
He was wounded for our transgressions. Amen 🙏 ❤
Thomas was sadly incredulous. So many things we don't see but believe… Love, hate, electricity, wind, for a few examples. This helps us to understand why the Lord affirms that blessed are those who believe without the necessity of seeing with natural eyes . To God be all glory. Amen
Spurgeon always has some good suggestions. And then on this teaching so many things that have happened in my life are brought to mind that I couldn't describe them in a few paragraphs of testimony
My late husband doubted too. He used to say "Why don't we see miracles now?". I would remind him that God performs miracles everyday that we are not privy to! I'm happy that, before he died, he did come to the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
Blessed be the name of Christ!
Amen
I must've been a teenager when the first thought came to mind, "I would believe in God, but it would never be by you, or anyone, who is telling me about God, and His existence. If I believe, I will believe because He shown me Himself." This wasn't out of unbelief, but more from a hurt place, I suppose. I didn't need proof, I think I was just hurt them, but it wasn't a bad thing to ask. Doesn't Paul even say, "For everyone who calls on the Name of the Lord, Shall Be Saved."? I think if it's from a place of sincerity and genuineity, God doesn't have a problem with showing you. Who can look at nature, the sun, the moon, and all the cosmos, or creatures in them, and not think something greater by their Creator, and had made them? Such a terrible thing to say, even as I was then, as I would speak or pray to God growing up, and most of the time out of fear of the situations I was experiencing. Like some S.O.S. prayer, and pleasing for help. What amazes me even more today, after knowing more, is His Amazing Grace. He heard those prayers from a clueless and ignorant soul, and He answered all of them in His own way and time. Those circumstances didn't come without consequences, but with mercy. Who doesn't look to something more, someone greater, supernatural, in any time of trouble? Even an atheist does this, and even after my moments as a young 6-7-8yr old, there was a seed inside me, after hearing all those people sing, praise, and worship God in the church. It left me with an idea of God, someone to think about and look for, and it's the Spirit that has us cry out, Abba, Our Father. His Seed, it just needed more time and watering, but it was through others pointing me that way, through Prayer and conversations with Him, in those times, when I noticed Him moving more in my own life. Seeking signs, miracles, and wonders for proof, are from a place of pride, for those who would like to know God and experience His Presence, but for those who aren't looking for them, we see them, we see Him, as they follow us where He is.
Lord Jesus, thank You for the gift of the cross, and giving me eyes to see.
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen" [Heb 11v1]
Yeshua Jesus, tysm, help me!
Thank you for the post Gavin.
I hope everyone remembers that when Yeshua Jesus rose; it IS the sign to all who believe and are called according to Faith, and that we will rise too!
Live as one in holy fear and who is thusly freed by amazing grace! Live and all sleepers awaken!
One thing no one touched on here, but from the Text of Scripture, the scene is descriptively horrific! Jesus has just been crucified dead and buried after being beaten and scourged so severely "no one could tell whether it was a man standing there" (Isaiah ch.52- ch.53). Everyone is locked AND hiding in the house for safety. There is terrifying hate in the streets! Then in this above setting the Scripture's account to us Thomas said these things.
What is not touched on much is God's omnipresence in our salvation. Jesus was crucified omnipresent beside the Theif that he believe unto godly sorrow and saving Faith in just such a scene similiar, but worse than above. God is also omnipresent to save in His Own Way to Thomas here; as well too, in every believers unique free-will circumstances, these do not encumber Jesus nor hinder Him whatsoever.
The magnitude geometry of omnipresence for God to each and all called and those He aforeknew would come, is easy for Him and to us- each and all- such Amazing Grace!
Yeshua Jesus is omnipresent to His- all who are His Own in both salvation and believing.
Jesus is equally omnipresent to all who hate and reject Him unto their destructions whether you believe it or not.
Jesus was there for me personally, and once I gave that exact same cry, "How can I do this to Jesus?" I broke weeping and repentant and rushed away from sin and was hasty to be rid of it utterly for Yeshua Jesus.
Miracles still happen; when they do, it is my experience they always testify to the glorious power of Jesus Christ to save! Asking God to send dreams and visitations to unbelievers is a hopeful prayer, not a doubting one.
Amen.
You explained this so well, thank you!
❤❤❤❤Nothing but love for our LORD and savior in these lines through the pen of CH Spurgeon and the 3rd person of the Divine Trinity.