God beyond the visible
“…while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (KJV) 2 Corinthians 4:18
In our human experiences, the adage "seeing is believing" has often been regarded as the gold standard of evidence. However, Scriptures demonstrate that faith transcends mere sight. The story of Thomas, one of the disciples of Jesus, serves as a vivid example of this principle.
After Jesus's resurrection, Thomas expresses doubt regarding the news of Jesus's appearance to the disciples. He declares, "Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe" (John 20:25). Thomas's insistence on tangible evidence before believing reflects the common human inclination to rely solely on what can be seen and touched.
However, Jesus responds to Thomas's doubt by appearing to him and inviting him to examine his wounds. Jesus says to him, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe" (John 20:27). At this moment, Thomas moves from doubt to faith as he witnesses the risen Christ before him.
Yet, Jesus does not commend Thomas for his demand for physical evidence. Instead, he blesses those who have not seen him and yet have believed (John 20:29). This statement emphasizes the superiority of faith that transcends the need for empirical proof, "for we walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7).
While seeing may provide a level of assurance, it is faith that ultimately leads to true belief in the realities of the Living God. As we navigate our spiritual journey, may we learn to trust in God's promises even when they are unseen, knowing that faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). Lord help us to indeed see beyond the visible. Amen.