Live as though the Lord appeared to you

Have you ever hoped for a personal appearance?

"If Jesus Christ would appear to me, then I would believe."

You aren't alone.

Jesus Christ walks along a beautiful path

Thomas was one of Jesus' disciples who heard His teachings, saw His healings and miracles, and was with Him for about 3 years. Matthew 5:1-2; 13:16-17; 15:30-38; Mark 3:13-19; Luke 7:21; Acts 1:21-22; 2:22; 1 John 1:1-2

Because Jesus' mother, John 19:25 other women who followed Him, Mark 15:40-41 and John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, John 19:26-27 were at the cross, 

it's likely that Thomas also saw Jesus be crucified for the sins of the world. Mark 15:25, 44-45; Luke 24:20; Romans 5:8; 1 Corinthians 2:2; Galatians 3:1; Colossians 1:14

Otherwise, why would Thomas demand John 20:24-25 to see Jesus' hands with the crucifixion imprints and put his finger in them? John 20:25 

And also demand to thrust his hand into Jesus' side John 20:25 where the Roman soldier stuck a spear, John 19:33-37 

if this disciple wasn't an eyewitness of these actions that happened at His death? Mark 15:43-45; John 19:30

However, Thomas doubted that Jesus had been raised from the dead. Luke 24:33-34

Jesus appeared to His disciples and showed them His hands, His feet, and His side. Luke 24:36-40; John 19:19-20 

The marks of the crucifixion were in Jesus' resurrected body for His disciples to see and touch but Thomas wasn't there at that time. John 20:24

Thomas stated that he wouldn't believe it until he saw these. John 20:25

Eight days later, His disciples were once again inside with the doors locked, and Thomas was with them.

Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you."

Then Jesus said to Thomas,

"Put your finger here and look at My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side.

Stop doubting and believe." John 20:26-27

Thomas had a personal appearance. 

What would our response have been?

Thomas replied, "My Lord and my God!" John 20:28

Those of us who hope for a personal visitation some day in this life from the Savior are still BLESSED.

Jesus said to him [Thomas],

"Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." John 20:29

BENEFIT of BELIEVING

If we believe now that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior of the world, John 3:16-17; 4:41-42; 1 John 4:14 

aren't we blessed enough to live as though He had appeared personally to us, too, as He did to Thomas? John 20:26-27

Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with an inexpressible and glorious joy. 1 Peter 1:8

Since we have the writings of Moses [the Bible's first 5 books], the prophets, the psalms, Luke 24:44 and the New Testament that confirm the truthfulness of the eyewitness accounts, Luke 1:1-2; 2 Peter 1:16-18 

we can live like Jesus appeared to us, one-on-one, IF we BELIEVE the Scriptures.

For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7

If we don't believe, Jesus may also describe us when He said,

"O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!

Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and then to enter His glory?" Luke 24:25-26

While we wait for a personal appearance, whether in our physical bodies or not, 2 Corinthians 12:1-4 we can believe that the Lord Jesus Christ by His Holy Spirit will...

teach us all things, John 14:26

guide us into all truth, John 16:13 

show us things to come, John 16:13

and "beginning with Moses and all the Prophets," explain to us what was written in all the Scriptures about Himself. Luke 24:27; John 5:39  

DOES JESUS STILL APPEAR TO PEOPLE?

Have you heard of modern-day accounts of NON-believers having Jesus appear to them in visions and dreams, saying that He wants to be their Savior?

Have you heard of Christians in our time who claimed they saw Jesus in a vision or dream and had conversations, or went to Heaven and came back and told of how He talked with them?

Wouldn't these appearances and experiences change them for the better? 

Wouldn't WE want to understand and appreciate this time of visitation? Luke 19:44; 1 Peter 2:12

Saul was a non-Christian who persecuted believers even to their executions. Acts 7:58; 8:1; 22:19-20; 26:9-11

Jesus appeared to Saul, spoke with him, and changed him into Paul. Acts 9:1-22; 13:9

If we saw Jesus personally and He talked with us, how might WE be changed?

But wait.

Can't we see Jesus in His words and actions?

Let's mix faith with the Bible's words, apply them to us, and say,

"Lord, I believe it's true, written for my instruction." Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:11; 2 Timothy 3:16-17

His Holy Spirit can help us. Romans 8:13-14

And He [Jesus] died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, [don't live like He did not appear to you]

but for Him who died for them and was raised again. 2 Corinthians 5:15

He Himself [Jesus] bore our sins in His body on the tree,

so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. [live as though He appeared to you]

"By His stripes you are healed." 1 Peter 2:24

Your thoughts?

R. Jason