john 20: 24-29: "Have you come to believe because you have seen me?"

Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” 

john 20: 24-29 

image by Lawrence OP

Blessed Are They Who Have Not Seen And Yet Believe | Flickr

labeled for noncommercial reuse

aren't we all like Thomas? understandably so? before Thomas encountered risen Jesus, what had he just seen? the same world that we see every day--a world replete with pain, hatred, abuse, oppression, torture, hatred, betrayal, etc. 

Jesus wants us to look beyond the world that we see to His world--that only those who believe in the goodness of God and His creation can see. where everything that has ever existed, exists now or will exist in the future--including mankind--is good. where Jesus took the just punishment for our sins so that we could be right with His Father. because of Jesus, we can see that good exists in this largely evil world--if we believe.

           faith 

                      hope 
                                  love