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by Dennis Wheeler
I am confident that if I were with the apostles after the crucifixion and resurrection...I am sure that you would be reading my name instead of Thomas' in John 20! Without a doubt I would be the one to express doubt! There is no way that the disciples who had witnessed the appearance of Jesus would be able to convince me that He was alive. In order for me to believe I would have to physically put my hands into the nail prints and see the scars on His body. Then, and only then, would I be convinced!
Well - - here it is, after the resurrection and Jesus appears to the apostles again . And now...Thomas is face to face with the resurrected Lord, who offered to let Thomas touch Him if He wanted to. Let's pick up the story in John 20:26..."Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas (nicknamed 'Dennis'!!) was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing there among them. He said, 'Peace be with you.' Then He said to Thomas, 'Put your finger here and see My hands. Put your hand into the wound on My side. Don't be faithless any longer. Believe!"
Thomas then humbly and reverently states his faith..."My Lord and my God!"
Then Jesus gives this marvelous statement..."You (Thomas) believe because you have seen Me. Blessed are those who haven't seen Me and believe anyway."
Well - here it is April of 2003 and I haven't seen Christ. I haven't put my fingers on the nail prints. I haven't seen His scars.
Yet...through the eyes of faith you and I are aware of His presence in our lives...we are aware of His grace, His compassion, His mercy, His forgiveness, His protection, His peace, His power, His provision, His love.
My doubt has disappeared! Yes indeed...HE IS ALIVE! HE IS HERE WITH US!
"I serve a Risen Savior...He's in the world today.
I know that He is living; whatever men may say.
I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer.
And just the time I need Him - He's always near.
He lives! He lives! Christ Jesus lives today.
He walks with me and talks with me along
lives narrow way.
He lives! He lives! Salvation to impart.
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart!!"
He serves as the Senior Pastor with southwest Virginia church... a loving church family in Abingdon.
He and his wife Sharon have been married for over 27 years and are the proud parents of two beautiful daughters, one son-in-law, and two precious grandchildren, the second arrived arrived on the scene in September 2004!!
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