John 20-21 | Seeing

Sight is one of the most important senses God has placed in our bodies. Perhaps more than any of the five senses, sight is the most critical as we navigate this world. While our speech and hearing have boundaries across nations, seeing is universal.

The eye is incredibly complex. There are things about our eyes that medical professionals still do not quite understand. But blessed are those who see.

SEEING JESUS

The turning point of human history happened at the cross and the empty tomb. The apostle John recorded for all time what Jesus’ followers saw and the reaction it brought.

So the other disciple who had first come to the tomb then also entered, and he saw and believed. (John 20:8)

Mary Magdalene came, announcing to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and that He had said these things to her. (John 20:18)

So when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” And when He had said this, He showed them both His hands and His side. The disciples then rejoiced when they saw the Lord. (John 20:19-20)

But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples were saying to him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “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 20:24-25)

After eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” Then He said to Thomas, “Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing.” Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed. (John 20:26-29)

SEEING IS BELIEVING

The ultimate proof is to “see with your own eyes.” These early disciples saw the resurrected Jesus. John, perhaps the most trusting in the group, simply saw the empty tomb and believed. But Jesus said those who will not have the chance to see Jesus physically but still believe because of the testimony of others who did, are most blessed.

The whole Bible was written so that you might see with the eyes of faith and believe.

Father, thank You for the gift of sight. Thank You for manifesting Yourself as the Word became flesh, and we beheld Your glory, full of grace and truth. Open our eyes to see You today, everywhere we look. And seeing, to believe.