“24 But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told 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 in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.’
26 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.’ 28 Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!”
29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.
30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. 31 But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name”
John 20-24-31.
Thomas demands physical proof of the resurrection, and so rejects the gift of the Holy Spirit to lead him, relying instead on his own sight and smell and touch. How typical this is of you and me. It certainly is true of me! When we ignore the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, we are left with just ourselves. Just our own wisdom, perception, and strength to build a relationship with God.
Dear friends, when you and I push away for the Holy Spirit and choose to rely on ourselves, we will sink. I know this to be true because I have tried this, and as soon as I let go of God I began to sink. Don’t do this! Stay in the Word of God. Pray. Repent and beg God for the Holy Spirit.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me a sinner.
From the Bible:
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you” John 14:26.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths” Proverbs 3:5-6.
“If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit”
Galatians 5:25.
“The Spirit helps us in our weakness” Romans 8:26.
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