I want you to notice how much unbelief is found in Mark 16 today! Look at verses 9-11 and 13-14:
9 Now Jesus, having risen [from death] early on the first day of the week, appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had driven out seven demons. 10 She went and reported it to those who had been with Him, as they grieved and wept. 11 And when they heard that He was alive and that she had seen Him, they did not believe it. 12 After this, He appeared in a different form to two of them as they were walking [along the way] into the country. 13 And they returned [to Jerusalem] and told the others, but they did not believe them either. 14 Afterward He appeared to the Eleven [apostles themselves] as they reclined at table; and He reproved and reproached them for their unbelief (their lack of faith) and their hardness of heart, because they had refused to believe those who had seen Him and looked at Him attentively after He had risen [from death].
They had refused to believe what they had not seen for themselves! Now let's look at John's account of Thomas, who has been "branded" as "doubting Thomas" because of HIS unbelief. John 20:24-29:
24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. 26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. 27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. 29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. KJV
I say that Thomas has gotten a "bum rap" over this through the years! Not one of the disciples believed BEFORE they saw Jesus with their own eyes, but Thomas is called out for it! This is just a little example of what meditating on the Word can do! You gain a different perspective on things than you ever had before! So, the next time you think of "doubting Thomas", think about all the other doubters that day! Now change THAT thinking to focus on making sure that YOU are not a doubter of God's Word! YOUR unbelief will affect YOUR life! Remember, it is IMPOSSIBLE to please God without operating in the faith of God (Hebrews 11:6)! HE desires it of us! AMEN! Faith COMES by hearing (and hearing and hearing) God's Word! Go get some! AMEN! Here is Hillsong Worship with "This I Believe":
Shalom in Him!
