From the Minister

I was listening to a series on radio 4 the other day (Yes I know!), Curious Cases with Hannah Fry and Dara Ó Briain. This particular episode they were talking about things that are invisible. Asking do any truly invisible things exist.  It reminded me of that phrase seeing is believing, but if something is invisible and yet still exists, is the phrase true? After all we all know that oxygen exists because we breath it, yet most of us cant actually see it! Can we still believe in ‘invisible’ things, or just things that we ourselves have not seen?

This was the dilemma that Jesus’ disciples had and one in particular, Thomas.

Jesus had been crucified, had died and was buried, they had all seen that and knew it to be true. Yet then a few of the women come to them saying that Jesus body has gone and he is alive again. (Luke 24.1-12). It was hard for them to believe, it seems impossible, and the disciples don’t believe the women (v11); Peter had to go and see for himself. The same was true of Thomas, the other disciples had seen Jesus, but he hadn’t, and declared ‘I won’t believe until I see.’ (John 20.27) And yes it took Jesus appearing to him personally, and touching the wounds, until he finally believed Christ’s response though is significant: “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20.29)

As Christians today we don’t see Jesus in the same way as Thomas and the disciples, we are those that Jesus spoke of. Or another way of putting it is we believe in the invisible. Yes that can be difficult at times, and our lives circumstances sometimes cause us to ask serious questions of our faith, but that is normal. Jesus accepts us for who we are, even with our doubts and struggles. As one man who met Jesus said “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark9:24)

May that be our prayer too: Lord help me to trust in you even when I’m struggling, and life doesn’t seem to make sense. Take my doubt and replace it with a new faith in you.

Rev Rick