Skip to content

Commentaries
English
John
  
29Jesus said to him, "Have you believed, because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe."


We do not know whether Thomas touched the wounds of Jesus, or was content to see the scars. He may have been ashamed of his unbelief and lacked the boldness. Jesus called the faith of Thomas a creedal confession on the basis of eye-witness, but the Lord wishes to create a higher level of faith, a trust in him confident in his word without our seeing him personally. He who desires dreams and visions and appearances to confirm his faith is a beginner, not mature and not properly established. Yet, Jesus appeared to his apostles several times to strengthen their faith in critical junctures.
Those who believe without seeing him are blessed by Jesus and find happiness. True faith mobilizes a greater force in us than do visions that are transient. Man’s confidence in God’s word honors the invisible Speaker.
Since Christ’s appearances, evangelists and apostles have taken to preaching to us in gospels and Epistles. Jesus’ resurrection is a proclamation to a new age, in which God’s life masters the hearts of believers. Our faith is not mere credence or thought; it is life and an attachment to Christ the Risen One. This is the miracle of our days; millions believe in Jesus without seeing him, because by faith they have experienced the power of eternal life.
Many Christians were to lose their goods, relatives and their lives. They had the truth by way of faith in Christ’s words, a faith beyond logic. Jesus rewards such faith by his word and the coming of his life into the believer. Our faith embraces all our being, and links us to Jesus our Savior.

Prayer
Lord Jesus, you are the founder and perfecter of our faith. You love us, and your truth reaches us through your word. I now believe that you will save me and many of my friends, you will revive and establish them in a living faith in your name, that they may have eternal life and great joy.
Question
Why does Jesus call ‘blessed’ believers who have not seen him?