Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.’”
NL Daily Devotion for Sunday, April 24, 2022
by Dr. Kimberly Leetch, Clergy Stuff
Main Idea: We can be witnesses of where and how we see and hear Jesus.
The spreading of the good news of the risen Christ depended wholly on one thing—witnesses. Most of the story following Jesus’ resurrection in the gospel of John is about the witnesses and what they saw and heard.
First, Mary was sent to proclaim that she had seen Jesus in the garden outside the tomb. Here, Jesus appears to the disciples and sends them into the world to do God’s work. Thomas was not with them, and the first thing they did, of course, was to become witnesses of what they had seen and heard to their friend.
It’s no surprise Thomas was hesitant to believe. Nothing of the sort had ever happened before. But they persisted in their story, and Thomas continued to work, walk, and live with them despite his doubting.
But Thomas wouldn’t wait forever to see Jesus. One short week later Thomas himself had the opportunity to see Jesus with his own eyes. Jesus once again sent them all to be witnesses in the world. “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” Jesus blesses all who are recipients of the witness of the disciples.
This story wraps up with John’s explanation that these stories were written down for all the people who would not have the opportunity to see Jesus face to face. With the benefit of time, we can look back and see that the witness was wildly successful—how few have not yet heard the good news of the risen Christ?
We can continue to be witnesses of what we see and hear—Jesus is all around us, ready to be seen and heard by whomever is open to see and hear.
