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Fingertip Faith

"...Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe." John 20:25

The words of the first man to step on the moon were undoubtedly the result of careful deliberation on his part since he was fully aware that this utterance would be heard around the world and recorded for all future generations. No spur-of-the-moment statement would suffice in this magnificent moment.

Perhaps, had Thomas known on the spring evening so long ago that his words would be remembered throughout the ages, he might have chosen them more carefully. Instead, his reply to the assertion of his friends, “We have seen the Lord,” earned for him the appellation, “Doubting Thomas.” Probably the other ten disciples tried to convince him they actually had seen Jesus with their own eyes and heard him with their own ears, but Thomas remained unbelieving, his faith in his fingertips. A week later when Thomas saw Jesus with his own eyes and heard with his own ears the invitation to “reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side...” all doubts were dispelled. Yet Thomas is not remembered for his confessions, “My Lord and my God,” but for his doubts.

What proof can we offer today to the “doubting Thomases” in our scientifically oriented society to substantiate the claim that Jesus Christ is alive? If we could join the crowd worshiping at the empty tomb on Easter morning, would that be proof enough? Or is not the Biblical account of the resurrection convincing evidence? What further proof do we have — or need? The most irrefutable testimony to the fact that Jesus Christ lives today was aptly expressed by the song writer: “You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart!” The life of the Christian should prove that Jesus lives.

Notice that Jesus did not scold Thomas for his doubts but rather offered to him the exact proof he required in order that Thomas, too, might be numbered with the believers. Honest doubts are understandable, but to cling stubbornly to doubt in the face of overwhelming evidence is unforgivable. If yours is a “fingertip faith,” Jesus invites you to come to Him for the proof you need to believe that He lives. If you are among those of whom Jesus said, “...blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed,” then it is your responsibility to prove by your life that the message of Easter is true, that Jesus lives, and that He lives in your heart.