Advent Devotions

John 20:1-18

Today’s author is Prince of Peace member, Steve Sveom.

John 20 tells the story of Mary first, and then after her report, Peter and the disciple whom Jesus loved going to the tomb.  We are told that when the disciple went into the empty tomb, he saw and believed.  Then Mary returned and encountered Jesus alive.  She told the disciples, “I have seen the Lord.”  Later, in John 20, when Jesus came to the disciples and Thomas, he made the statement “blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”  This blessing is recorded to offer a word of grace to all who have followed in faith without a personal experience of seeing the risen Jesus.

I’m curious—do we believe because we’ve seen, or have we come to believe even without seeing?   I’ll admit that I have seen.  I have seen in the ones who have believed.  I have seen in the presence of God with my parents at the time of their death.  I have seen in the circumstances of God’s presence with me during their time of death.  I have seen in a hymn sung the day after my mother died that affirmed her healing and freedom in death.  I have heard in the scripture an assurance of God’s grace as my father died and as I grieved.  Very specific experiences have been powerful times of knowing the presence of a loving, resurrected Jesus.  So, I have seen and believed. 

However, there are also times I do not see and yet have needed to hold on to faith.  In a world of might makes right, intimidation and powerful domination, it is hard to see and believe in the power of God’s love and the importance of humility.  I am grateful for the times I have seen and believed, but am even more blessed to be able to believe, even when I don’t see so clearly. 

God of grace, thank you for the precious moments when we see your love’s presence in our lives and can come to believe.  Sustain us in faith when we have greater difficulty seeing but need to believe.  Amen.