| THE RESURRECTION |
On the evening of the Resurrection, Jesus appeared to a number of his followers who were hiding in a room in Jerusalem. They were astonished and overjoyed to see that Jesus had risen from the dead. |
| However, Thomas, one of the Apostles, wasn't there that evening. When he returned, the others immediately told him that Jesus was no longer dead, but alive. "We have seen the Lord," they assured him (Jn 20:25). Nevertheless, Thomas refused to believe their story. He had seen Jesus crucified and buried just two days earlier. "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands," Thomas stubbornly replied, "I will not believe" (Jn 20:25). |
| On the following Sunday Jesus again appeared in the house where the Apostles were staying. "Peace be with you," Jesus said, greeting them (Jn 20:26). Then he turned to Thomas. "Put your finger here and see my hands," Jesus said, showing Thomas the scars from the nail wounds. "Do not doubt but believe" (Jn 20:27). |
| Thomas was overcome with joy at seeing Jesus alive, but he was also deeply ashamed. Although he'd seen Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead, he had doubted that Jesus could come back from the dead himself. "My Lord and my God!" Thomas exclaimed in awe (Jn 20:28). |
| Jesus gently criticized the Apostle for believing only after seeing for himself. "Blessed are those who have not seen," Jesus said, "and yet have come to believe" (Jn 20:29). In the months and years that followed, thousands believed in Jesus without ever seeing him. Through them, the Christian church was born. |
| Copyright:Grolier Inc. MCMXCVI Grolier Family Bible Cards TM Location: http://www.geocities.com/gacbloomington/resurrection.html Updated: 10/25/2001 |
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| The views and beliefs of the Bloomington Indiana Gospel Assembly Church do not reflect the same views of all of the Gospel Assembly Churches that are affiliated together with us. We are striving continually for unity of the faith through Jesus Christ our Savior. |