YOU ARE WITHOUT EXCUSE

…he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen. —Mark 16:14

Imagine eleven people telling you they witnessed seeing your once P.O.W. loved one, thought to be dead, alive in an allied hospital. Would you believe them? Or, would you just refuse to believe that these eleven individuals actually saw your loved one? Are eleven people enough to convince you of anything?

In the verse above there were, by this time, a few which had seen Jesus resurrected from the dead. When the apostles were told about this they refused to believe it until Jesus actually appeared to them. Yes, now they believed and yet Thomas was not among them the first time Jesus appeared to the apostles. Now that that the apostles and others had heard and told Thomas, he said “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe” (John 20:25).

Well, Jesus did appear to them again with Thomas present and Thomas said, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). Jesus told Thomas that “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 29). Have you believed in Jesus? You have not seen Him and yet if you have believed in Jesus then you are blessed!

The resurrected Jesus was seen by:

· Angels

· Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary he mother of James, and other women

· Two disciples on the road to Emmaus

· The 11 apostles

· 500 people at the same time

· the apostles over a period of 40 days

· Paul

These were witness of the resurrected Jesus and multitudes have believed down through the ages since then because of their testimony. Evidence: God’s creation declares His glory, His Son reveals His glory, His Holy Spirit convicts of His glory, His Word speaks of His glory and those who have believed witness of His glory. There is plenty of evidence for a person to believe. None are without excuse! (Romans 1:18-29).

Dear Father, thank You for allowing me to know Jesus. Oh that I would live a life that is pleasing to You out of the sincere gratitude of my heart. May it be so!