Daily Devotions
Reasons To Believe
Reading for November 9th: John 20-21
Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe."
John 20:27
My grandfather (mother's father) had a simple faith. He believed there was a God. He believed that Jesus was God's Son. He believed the Bible was the inspired Word of God. And he believed you either went to heaven or hell after you died. That's what he believed all his life. That's all he needed to know.
I'm not sure my grandfather could have answered some of the arguments made today against the faith. He would get lost in discussions about evolution, about new perspectives on the "historical" Jesus, or higher criticism of the biblical text. These discussions would not move him from his faith. He knew what he knew and believed what he believed... and that's okay for him to believe in that way. His faith was real and authentic and planted on solid ground.
Not everyone today can believe the way my grandfather did. They will not be satisfied by simple answers to complex questions. They want to see all of the evidence for themselves and grapple with the questions for which we have no simple answers.
I believe that Jesus is okay with this kind of faith as well. When He says to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands...," that is an open invitation for all to explore the evidence.
Don't misunderstand what Jesus says next about those who "have not seen and yet have believed." (John 20:29) He's not saying it is wrong to ask questions. All faith is based on reason. Our faith is not based on what we have seen, but it is still based on reason and evidence. There's nothing wrong with searching out evidence for our faith.
Father, thank you for giving us reasons to believe!
