The Focus: Aware of His presence

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I’m quite confident that if I were with the apostles after the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus … I’m am sure that you would be reading my name instead of Thomas’ in John chapter 20!

Without a doubt I would be the one to express doubt! There is no way the disciples, who had witnessed the appearance of Jesus, would be able to convince me that He was alive.

I had watched Him die an excruciating death on the cross.

I saw His lifeless placed in a tomb and the entryway sealed with a huge stone.

So, in order for me to believe this whopper of a story I would have to physically put my hands into the nail prints and see the scars on His body. Then, and only then, would I be convinced!

Let’s pick up the story in John 20:26 … “Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas (nicknamed ‘Dennis’!) was with them. The doors were locked, but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing there among them. He said, ‘Peace be with you.’ Then He said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see My hands. Put your name into the wound on My side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!’”

Thomas then humbly and reverently states his faith … “My Lord and my God!”

Then Jesus gives this marvelous statement … “You (Thomas) believe because you have seen Me. Blessed are those who haven’t seen Me and believe anyway.”

Well … here it is 2016 years later …

and I haven’t seen Christ;

and I haven’t put my fingers in the nail prints;

and I haven’t seen His scars.

YET … through the eyes of faith … I am aware of His presence and power in my life … I am aware of His grace, His compassion, His mercy, His forgiveness, His protection, His peace, His provision, and His love!

My doubt has disappeared! I believe!

Yes, indeed … He is alive! He is here with me … and with You!

As the old hymn goes …

“He lives! He lives! Christ Jesus lives today.

He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.

He lives! He lives! Salvation to impart.

You ask me how I know He lives?

He lives within my heart!”

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By Dennis Wheeler

Dennis Wheeler is a volunteer citizen columnist, who serves The Daily Advocate readers weekly with his weekly column The Focus. Viewpoints expressed in the article are the work of the author. The Daily Advocate does not endorse these viewpoints or the independent activities of the author.

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