The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

John 20:22-29, “And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said
to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.
23 If you forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven them; if you
retain the sins of any, they have been retained.’
“But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when
Jesus came.
25 So the other disciples were saying to him, ‘We have seen the Lord!’ But
he said to them, ‘Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put
my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not
believe.’
26 After eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them.
Jesus came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst and said,
‘Peace be with you.’
27 Then He said to Thomas, ‘Reach here with your finger, and see My hands;
and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving,
but believing.’
28 Thomas answered and said to Him, ‘My Lord and my God!’”

Have you noticed how some news media give you what they deem their
account of what occurred? Yet, if you want the whole account accurately
given, it’s necessary to solicit someone else’s view of what happened. I’m
sure you have witnessed similar things occur many times.

It’s possible that disciple Thomas had previously been deceived and was
less ready to believe than others. In fact, he was quite adamant about it!
Still, things are not always what they seem; therefore, it behooves us to
examine all the evidence in any matter before reaching a conclusion.

The other disciples, however, had personally witnessed Jesus’ presence;
therefore, belief came easier to them than it would to Thomas. He was
adament, much like the one who said, “Don’t bother me with the facts, my
mind is made up!”

Eight days later, Jesus appeared again to His disciples. This time, Thomas
was present. He softly challenged Thomas to see and feel His Hands. Thomas
then proclaimed: “My LORD and my God!” Jesus then blessed Thomas, but
added, “Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.”

How much do you trust Jesus? Before you answer, remember that your
placement in eternity rests heavely upon what you say in true faith. Do you
want or need to seriously think and pray about it before you reply?

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom