“Now Thomas (also known
as Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples
told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see
the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my
hand into his side, I will not
believe.” A week later his
disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors
were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your
finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop
doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My
Lord and my God!” Then
Jesus told him, “Because you
have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet
have believed.” John 20:24-29
“So they brought him. When the spirit
saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the
ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been
like this?” “From childhood,” he answered. “It has often thrown him into fire or
water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” “ ‘If you can’?” said
Jesus. “Everything
is possible for one who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father
exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” When Jesus saw that a
crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute
spirit, ”he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” The
spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much
like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” But
Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.” Mark
9:20-26
“It
(love) always trusts……” I Corinthians 13:7
Love
tries to trust. It gives the benefit of the doubt. It is aware that to love you
must trust.
This
truth is illustrated in these two stories from the Gospels.
Thomas
was one of the Twelve who followed Jesus.
For
three years he had listened to the Master and learned from Him. He had walked
the long dusty roads from village to village. He had seen the miracles and even
been involved in some.
On
the night in the Upper Room when Jesus celebrated the Lord’s Supper, Thomas was
there.
When
Jesus was lynched and led away from the garden, Thomas was there and he fled in
fear with the others.
Thomas
watched in horror as Jesus’ badly beaten body was nailed to the cross. He
watched Him die.
So,
naturally, when Thomas heard that the resurrected Jesus had appeared in their
midst one day when he was gone, he had trouble believing their report.
He
wanted to believe their story. He tried to trust them. But his heart had
already been broken and he wasn’t sure he could trust their report. We was
trying to believe but it was tough!
So,
Jesus appeared to help Thomas believe. Thomas touched His hands and touched His
side and his trying became trusting.
And
then there was the man with demoniac son.
Jesus
told the man that anything will be possible if he would believe it is possible.
This
desperate dad was trying to give Jesus the benefit of the doubt. “I am trying
to believe, Jesus, help me to believe.” What a great response!
You’ve
been there haven’t you?
Perhaps
you are there now!
Because
this man was ready to believe God gave him reason to believe!
Love
tries to trust. Love gives the benefit of the doubt. When you have the will to believe God makes the way.