But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. (John 20:24-25, KJV).

The other disciples had already seen Jesus alive, but Thomas was not present. He was emphatic: “Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

Thomas chose not to believe. He chose to be unbelieving until he saw Jesus alive, resurrected, moving, breathing, and talking. When he finally saw Jesus, Thomas said, “My Lord and my God.”

Jesus is alive! He is Lord, and He is God. He deserves all our worship and adoration. He deserves to be magnified as Lord and Master of our lives.

This Easter, I want to encourage you. Don’t be a doubting Thomas. Be a believing Thomas or Mary or John. Certainly, He is risen. Certainly, He is alive! Certainly, He is Lord of all!

What does the resurrection mean? It means what He told us is true. He’s not just another wonderful teacher, a wise man, a miracle worker. Yes, He stilled the storm. He cleansed the leper. He walked on water. But even more than all that, He rose from the dead! He is the Son of God who came to die for our sins and to give us new life. “Because I live,” He said, “You shall live also.”

He lives, and when you believe, you live also.

I want to encourage you. Walk in the light of life. Live in the recognition of what has been done for you. You are no longer separated from the God of the universe. You are united with Him. You are one with Christ. His life is in you!

Like Thomas, sometimes we doubt. Then, Jesus shows up and says, “Be not faithless but believe.”

Believe, and I will do miracles in your life. Believe, and you will have life in your belly. Believe, and I will walk with you and talk wth you and tell you that you are my own. I have great treasures for you … when you believe.

May you believe, and have life through His name! Pray a life-giving prayer like this from your heart:

Dear Father, I thank you for sending Jesus to die for my sins. I believe that you raised Him from the dead. I confess Jesus as my Lord and my Savior. I choose to turn away from sin. Thank you for forgiving me and making me your child, in Jesus’ name.

Happy Resurrection Day, my friend!

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