Faith helps us to live through setbacks

Wed, Apr 30th 2014, 10:58 PM

Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the 12, 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 it".
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!" - John 20:24-28

Because of the faith given to you by God to trust Jesus as your Lord and Savior, the pains of this world may affect you because you are a human being in a sinful world. However, the pains and setbacks you experience do not have to burden you because you have a God who cares. He is merciful, loving, forgiving and gracious. He has given you a faith to trust Jesus to deliver you.
In the above text the disciples informed Thomas, one of the disciples, that they had seen Jesus. At the time when Jesus appeared to the others, Thomas was absent. Consequently, when they told him that Jesus was alive, he exclaimed, "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 it".
Thomas had his doubts. He received the resurrection account from 10 witnesses to the risen Christ, yet he refused to accept their word. Even though Jesus had forewarned them of his impending death and resurrection, in Thomas' mind, the resurrection was an impossibility.
Thomas - like many in our world today - did not rely upon God, but upon human reasoning.
When we try to apply human reasoning to the workings of God we get into trouble.
Nonetheless, the resurrection account requires a faith from God. Jesus reappeared to the disciples to give Thomas such a faith. The Lord took the time to appear to Thomas in the midst of the other disciples and restore his faith.
Yes, Jesus took time out for Thomas and he does the same for you and me. The same patience Jesus showed to Thomas, he graciously shows to you and me in order to remove any doubts we may have.
The crisis we encounter in this life causes us to cry out 'why'. Why did mom or dad have to take ill and die? Why did my child have to be the one to be murdered? Why am I out of work? Why did God allow me to have cancer? Even though we cry out 'why', our faith in Christ brings us comfort. We know that our Lord is with us.
In our struggles, we find solace in his promise to us. These words of his have brought me peace and comfort in the past: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Mat. 11:28).
Thomas might have been somewhat embarrassed but still thankful that his Lord had been patient and loving to reach out to him. Yes, Jesus visited Thomas because he wanted to give him the same faith that the other apostles had.
The faith that we have, which causes us to believe in the resurrection account, comes to us from God. Mankind does not have the ability to generate a faith or belief in God. We believe because we have a faith given to us by God through the Holy Spirit. This same faith helps us to live through the many setbacks we experience from time to time. Thank God for a faith that brings us peace and helps us to cope. Amen.
o Rev. Samuel M. Boodle, pastor at The Lutheran Church of Nassau, can be reached at P. O. Box N 4794, Nassau, Bahamas or telephone: 426-9084, email: lutheranchurch@coralwave.com, Website: www.nassaulutheranchurch.org.

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