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A teacher stood at the front of the class and wrote out the problem on the board. Some of the students scribbled down the problem and their answers, while others studied it for a bit. The teacher then read the problem aloud. Again, a few more students worked the problem on their paper, yet a few remained fixed on the board. The teacher drew a picture, illustrating the problem to the students. A few more pencils moved swiftly across their papers. There were still a few students who continued to study the problem on the board, and the teacher turned to them and asked them to come to his desk. At first, they thought they were in trouble. But the teacher showed them some special colored blocks that fit with problem. The students picked up the pieces and went to work; they solved the problem with a hands-on approach.

The students all arrived at the answer, some more quickly than others. The teacher knew each student had the capacity to understand the problem and arrive at the correct conclusion, but he also knew each student and what was needed to help them arrive at that solution.

John 20:24-31

“But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
25 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.
26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.
27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:
31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”

Thomas.

One of the twelve disciples.

But we know him by another name, don’t we?

Doubting Thomas.

Of all that this man did with Jesus and thereafter, THIS is what he’s remembered by.

But Jesus already knew this about him. Jesus knew for some of His disciples, they would believe immediately. Some upon hearing, some seeing, and for Thomas, a physical touch.

Jesus knew what Thomas needed to know who He was and to believe. And He provided it.

Before Thomas even said a word to Him.

He didn’t rebuke Thomas for not believing sooner. But He also knew He wouldn’t always be in the flesh for future believers to physically touch. He said “blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.”

That’s us.

Jesus knows each one of us. How we think, how we process information, how we arrive at our conclusions. He knows what it will take for us to believe in Him.

And He offers it freely.

He has spoken to us. We have the written Word of God.

We can see His power and authority. We are witnesses to His creation.

We hear the testimonies of those that have been saved and changed by Jesus.

And right now, He’s allowing me to speak these words into your life.

Why? Why does Jesus do all of this for us?

Just as John said “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”

Jesus knows exactly what you need in order to believe. But you still have to make that choice. You can ignore all you’ve seen, heard, and witnessed. Or you can believe in Him and be changed.

Believe and receive life!

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