Today’s devotion is based on Week 3 of “Resolve”: Trust the right person!! (WATCH HERE)
“I have to see it to believe it!”
Perhaps this phrase is made most famous by the Apostle Thomas when he missed Jesus’ appearance after his resurrection and didn’t believe his fellow disciples that Jesus rose from the dead. He wanted to see and experience Jesus’ resurrection for himself.
For this he has earned the nickname “Doubting Thomas.”
I kind of feel bad for him.
Why?
Because I probably would have done the same thing.
Much of our truth is confirmed by our senses. If we see something with our own eyes…it’s true. If we feel something with our hands…it exists. If we smell a fragrance…we know it has a source. If we taste something…we label it “good” or “bad.” If we hear something…we confidently repeat it as authentic.
Our senses were given to us to operate in this world. All of them give input to our minds and our hearts and we interpret the world around us through them.
Perhaps this is what makes believing, trusting, having faith in Jesus difficult at times.
Our five senses can’t help us in this.
So we have to rely on the credibility of those that did experience Jesus.
His disciples.
They were there in Cana of Galilee when Jesus performed his first public miracle.
They saw Jesus.
They heard Jesus direct the servants.
They held a glass of the wine Jesus made.
They smelled the fragrance of a fine wine.
They tasted the best of wine.
But they knew the source. It didn’t come from a local liquor store. It didn’t come from the neighbor two doors down. It didn’t come from a secret stash the wedding couple forgot to tell people about.
It came from Jesus.
Their senses overruled their minds. Logically, this is not how wine was made. But they couldn’t deny what they heard, saw, felt, smelled, and tasted. All of it confirmed a miracle had been performed and Jesus was the one who did it.
So they put their trust in Jesus.
John 2:11 What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
But over the course of Jesus’ ministry he would ensure that saving faith was not based on the five senses, but rather on the evidence and work of Jesus. The witnesses confirm the truth. They speak of what they saw and heard. And we get to believe it and trust it for ourselves.
Jesus told Thomas:
29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29)
And then John records the whole purpose of his Gospel:
30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. (John 20:30-31)
So we can do just as the disciples did after the miracle in Cana of Galilee:
Trust in Jesus.
Apply: How does the recording of Jesus’ miracles help to strengthen and solidify your faith in Jesus?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, forgive my unbelief. Strengthen my faith and trust in you as the Son of God, my Savior. AMEN.