Do you ever find yourself doubting sometimes whether or not Jesus is for real? We know in our heart of hearts the truth about Christ. Yet, when we are going through a frustrating moment or a challenging time we find ourselves doubting this sacred truth.
Maybe you are grieving from a great loss Maybe you are struggling to dig out of debt, a relationship, or an addiction. Maybe you just feel lost, abandoned, and alone. Maybe you just… No matter what the case for you, we all find those moments where it is so hard to just trust, believe, and be faithful. When Christ appears to His apostles in Luke 24 after the resurrection He extends the invitation to touch Him and see.
“Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate in their presence.” (Luke 24:39-43).
We read in the gospel of John that Thomas was not present in this moment. Thomas had a hard time just believing what his fellow apostles were saying to him. He claimed he needed to see it for himself. Then Jesus shows up again.
“A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” (John 20:26-27).
Thomas may be one of my favorite followers of Jesus, because I find him to be very relatable. In a moment, where he found himself struggling to believe, Jesus challenges him to reach out and touch.
I think this is an important biblical lesson we can take into our own lives when we find ourselves struggling to trust, to believe, to have faith. In those dark life moments where we find ourselves in doubt, we need to reach out and touch Jesus again.
Reach out and touch Jesus by turning the pages of your Bible. Reach out and touch Jesus by speaking words from your lips in prayer. Reach out and touch Jesus as you feel the warmth of the sun, the tickle of the wind, the mist of the ocean while enjoying His creation. Reach out and touch Jesus as you push buttons on your phone to call a friend or mentor who can remind you of the ways Jesus has touched your life in the past.
Reach out! Touch and see! Touch and believe!
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