A Transparent Heart

"Then He said to Thomas, 'Reach your finger here and look at My hands, and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.' And Thomas answered and said to Him, 'My Lord and my God!' Jesus said to him, 'Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.'"
(John 20:27-29)

Doubting Thomas. Bless his heart.

Yet, when we are honest, aren't there times that we stand face to face with the Lord and have unbelief in our hearts?

Sure we do! We see Him doing wonders in our lives and we just shake our heads in disbelief.

Thomas had just witnessed the horrific crucifixion and death of his Lord. When Jesus appeared to His disciples, following His resurrection, Thomas was not there. He did not believe the report. He could not fathom how Jesus could have risen from the dead.

"I will not believe unless I put my finger into the nail prints in His hands and put my hand into His side!" Obstinate, wasn't he?

Obstinate...or transparent? Hmmmm....

Thomas had figured everything out, and a resurrected Lord was not part of it. Thomas seemed content to remain in his sorrow. He had believed Jesus as long as everything Jesus did could fit into his "little box of understanding." He even believed the miracles - as long as he was there in person to witness them. But, rising from the dead? No way! No sensible man would believe this foolishness, would he? He wanted to believe, but please...how could his beloved Savior be alive?

So Thomas voiced his doubt. He exposed his heart.

And Jesus listened.

Was Jesus offended? No. Without Thomas ever asking, Jesus offered Thomas the very thing it would take for Thomas to believe. He told Thomas to "put your finger in the nail prints, put your hand in My side."

Then Thomas believed.

Are you stuck in a place of sorrow, suffering the death of a dream or are you facing an insurmountable obstacle? God's grace is sufficient. His mercy is new every morning! Make yourself available to Him. Be honest with your doubts and then, with all the faith you can muster - expect a miracle.

And remember, the Lord your God responds to a transparent heart.

Lord, I love and appreciate Your grace and mercy. You are not here to condemn us; You are here to set us free from the doubts and fears that besiege us. Thank You, Lord. I am so glad that You respond to our need for assurance when we stop playing our games of self-righteousness and open our hearts to Your love.