“Stop Doubting And Believe!”

“Stop Doubting And Believe!”(Jn.20:19-29).
Then Jesus said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.…Thomas said to him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Then Jesus told him, ‘Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.'”
The first time the novel, “The Crown of Thorns” was selected as recommended reading in English literature for Cameroon GCE, the author said in an interview that he was to go to all secondary schools in Cameroon to groom teachers of literature on how to use the book.
This remark was responded to by a journalist who said, truly “wonders shall never end!” The journalist wondered whether William Shakespeare should be resurrected so that he can go to all the colleges and universities where his many plays and sonnets are recommended reading to groom the teachers and lecturers on how to teach his books.
History would be without meaning if one must see before believing. History is even far removed; in fact, current events would still be unbelievable to the majority since they are not eyewitnesses.
If I’m not mistaken, all current knowledge builds on the works of the past which helps researchers to dig further to improve further or see alternatives of such statusquo.
Evangelist Luke puts it better than I’m attempting. In introducing his gospel, he tells Theophilus, “Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught”(Lk. 1:1-4).
Theophilus may or may not have been a historical personality. Even if he was, the name suggests that Luke was writing to God lovers or lovers of God(the English equivalent of the name).
Luke’s reason for writing ties with John’s purpose that “…these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name”(Jn. 20:30-31).
Summarily my dear friend, you must not be an eyewitness to believe what you are told, but you are free to research and base your conclusion by your findings.
To each and any Thomas Jesus the Christ says, “Stop doubting and believe…blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Prayer: Heavenly Father help my unbelief so that I should stop doubting and believe and have life. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.