Believing Is Seeing

Thomas did have some good character qualities.

John 11:7-8, 16. Jesus was told that his good friend Lazarus was ill and dying. Jesus planned a trip to go to Bethany near Jerusalem to see Lazarus, but some of his disciples were quick to remind Jesus that the last time he was in Jerusalem the religious leaders tried to stone him to death.

Jesus told his disciples that they must go openly in the daylight rather than sneak around in the dark. He started toward Bethany and Thomas declared: “Let us also go, that we may die with him!”

• Thomas was a man of courage.

From this remark we know that Thomas with all his faults loved Jesus and was willing to die for Him.

During the past couple of weeks we have seen many acts of courage as our soldiers are fighting for freedom in Iraq.

# We’ve all heard the story of POW Jessica Lynch’s rescue in an Iraqi hospital. Last week we learned a little more about how it took place.

An Iraqi lawyer told U.S. Forces where to find her. He made the decision to assist in her rescue after seeing her slapped in the face by a guard—a sight that, in his words, "cut my heart."

He and his wife, who worked at the hospital, spent the next few days gathering information and making hand-drawn maps of the building’s layout, giving the information to U.S. intelligence officers.

Why did he do it? He said he simply couldn’t watch the mistreatment of a fellow human being without taking action. Even though it could have cost him his life, he made Jessica’s rescue possible.

This young Iraqi lawyer has been an inspiration to American troops—and he’s an example for us all to follow.

There will be times when you are faced with the prospect of doing something risky--but you know it’s right thing to do. Maybe defending someone who can’t defend themselves; maybe speaking the truth when the truth is not welcome; maybe putting your life on the line for a complete stranger. Sometimes we have to take risks—both big and small—in order to what is right.

The Apostle Paul wrote: Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love. (1 Corinthians 16:13-14)

A professor gave his class an assignment. They were to turn in a 5 page paper. The theme was "Courage." Each student was to describe the best of example of courage that he or she had ever witnessed. One student boldly turned in five blank pages. The professor gave the student an "A".

• Thomas demonstrated courage when he said, “Let us also go, that we may die with Him!”

John 14 - Jesus is facing his arrest, trail and crucifixion. He gives his disciples comfort and encouragement by saying: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me…I am going…to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me … where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” (John 14:1-4) After hearing this Thomas says, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered: “I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) Thomas is saying, Jesus, don’t leave us. Stay with us.