Forgiven

 

"Blessed are they who have not seen and have believed." John 20:29

Jesus is talking about us here! We have not seen Him walking, and preaching, and eating like the disciples did. We have not seen Him doing miracles and healing the sick. We did not put our finger to His side and His hands. And yet, we believe.

In his first homily as Pope, John Paul II said: “Do not be afraid to welcome Christ and accept His power...Open wide the doors for Christ...Christ knows what is in man. He alone knows it. So often today man does not know what is within him, in the depths of his mind and heart. So often he is uncertain about the meaning of his life on earth. He is assailed by doubt, a doubt which turns to despair. We ask you therefore, we beg you with humility and trust, let Christ speak to man. He alone has words of life, yes, eternal life."

Christ knows first hand what is in man. He has the wounds of the flagellation, the crucifixion, the helmet of thorns, the spear to His side. The wounds we have given Him. We have been forgiven. We are indeed blessed over and beyond what we deserve. We deserve death, Jesus offers us life. 

David Wilkerson was a Christian evangelist best known for his amazing book, The Cross and the Switchblade. The last blogpost he wrote before he died was about this same verse.

He said, "Blessed are those who believe when there is no evidence of an answer to prayer—who trust beyond hope when all means have failed. Beloved, God has never failed to act but in goodness and love. When all means fail—his love prevails. Hold fast to your faith. Stand fast in his Word. There is no other hope in this world." Yes, let us receive these amazing gifts this Easter, hope and new life and His incomprehensible love.