Jesus makes allowances for your weaknesses. He relates on your level. When Mary was weeping after not finding Jesus’ body, He asked why she was weeping and what she was seeking. Thomas needed to see physical evidence from Jesus’ body before he would believe. Jesus performed many signs so His disciples would believe. Some of them were written in the book of John so people could believe, have life and be sent out into the world. Jesus wants you to take ownership of your faith.
Mary Magdalene told Peter and John that they took Jesus out of the tomb. They saw linen wrapping and a face-cloth. John believed “for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead” (John 20:1-10). Jesus shows signs of His resurrection so people will believe in Him.
While Mary stood outside the tomb, two angels sat where the Jesus’ body had laid and asked why she was weeping. She answered that His body was gone and didn’t know where they laid Him. Immediately, she saw Jesus standing there, but didn’t know it was Him. He asked why she was weeping and whom she sought. When He said, “Mary,” she said “Teacher.” Jesus told her to tell His brothers that “I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.” Mary Magdalene announced to the disciples that she saw the Lord and what He said to her (John 20:11-18). Jesus meets people on their turf so they will take ownership of their faith.
After the disciples shut the doors for fear of the Jews, Jesus stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” He showed them His hands and side saying, “Peace be with you, as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained” (John 20:19-23). Jesus sends people out on mission in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Thomas said that unless He saw in Jesus’ hands the imprint of the nails, put his finger into the place of the nails and put his hand into His side, he would not believe (John 20:24-25). Some people will not believe unless they see signs.
Eight days later, Jesus appeared to the disciples along with Thomas saying, “Peace be with you.” He told Thomas to reach with his finger and hand and touch His hands and side to believe. Thomas said, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed” (John 20:26-29). Those who believe in His word without signs are especially blessed.
Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of the disciples that were not written down. These were written so you would “believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:30-31). Jesus’ disciples wrote down signs performed in their presence so people would believe and have life in His name.
What prevents you from believing in Christ? What signs help you believe in Christ? What events allowed you to take ownership of your faith? Ask God for the power of the Holy Spirit to be sent out on mission in the word.
