Reality Check

Jesus showed Himself to many followers over a period of forty days. Despite their doubts, He treated them as friends. One follower named Thomas refused to believe the reports from others. Jesus met Thomas and said,

“Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.“ Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!“ Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed“ (John 20:27-29).

Ever since, Jesus has “blessed” countless believers. He shares His life with us, filling our lives with wonder and joy and new direction. We discover that human stories are not the only stories in the universe. God has a story. When God’s story touches the human story, the impossible becomes possible. Despair turns to hope. Slavery gives way to freedom. Jesus died to “deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery” (Hebrews 2:15).

The ultimate reality is the God who made us for life, not death. We may try to resist or deny Him. But when He enters our lives, our stories take on amazing possibilities. Despite our struggles, He still treats us as friends. He lifts us up from spiritual death and makes us new. He gives us a purpose greater than ourselves, and the power to pursue it. For Jesus lives, not just to prove a point, but to be with us and to empower us.

And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20).

“I will never leave you nor forsake you.“ So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me“… Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13:5-6,8).