The Proof is in the Piercing
Opening Thoughts:
The gospels don’t record the piercing of the Lord’s hands & feet. But we know because of the prophecy and His conversation with the Apostle Thomas that it happened & it was just what Thomas needed to believe.
Scripture:
Prophecy: Psalm 22:16, Fulfillment: John 20:25-29
Devotion:
The Apostle Thomas, much like all of the apostles, struggled with the Lord’s death because they didn’t understand his teachings on the resurrection. The first time the Lord revealed himself to the apostles, Thomas wasn’t with them. They told Thomas about seeing the Lord and Thomas said, “unless I see & put my fingers in the nail prints, I won’t believe!” But he decided to stay close to the apostles in case the Lord showed up again. The Lord did reveal himself to them again, and showed Thomas the prints in his hand and offered for him to thrust his hand into His side. Thomas did believe but from that point on he is known as “Doubting Thomas.”
Application:
The scriptures reveal to us that we are to live by faith and not by sight. Many times as Christians, whether we realize it or not, we do just the opposite. Maybe it’s because we’re afraid, hesitant or just apathetic to God’s leading. May the Lord help us to have faith even when we can’t see God. Jesus tells us the same thing that He told Thomas; “…be not faithless, but believing.”
Prayer:
Lord, help me to trust your leading in my life and to walk by faith.