I’m Blessed to Believe! – April 21, 2023

Read: John 20:19-31

Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.
John 20:29

I’m Blessed to Believe!

Family Devotion – April 21, 2023

Devotion based on John 20:29

See series: Devotions

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Some news is so wonderful we have a hard time believing it is true. You won the prize—I can’t believe it! You are going to Disney World—no way! If someone told you this news, you may need some proof to believe it. However, when the prize is placed into your hand or you are standing in front of Cinderella’s castle at Disney, then you believe and rejoice.

Thomas, Jesus’ disciple, knew how that felt. He saw Jesus tortured and hung on the cross. The soldiers pierced the side of Jesus, proving he was dead. Friends buried Jesus and closed the tomb. Jesus’ disciples were sad and scared and locked in a room. Suddenly, Jesus showed up—alive! But Thomas was not there to see this glorious event. When his friends shared the amazing news that Jesus was alive, Thomas just couldn’t believe—it was too good to be true. Thomas said he would need to see and feel Jesus to believe this wonderful news. Jesus loved Thomas and wanted him to believe, so Jesus gave Thomas exactly what he needed. One week later, the risen Jesus appeared to Thomas. When Thomas saw Jesus, he believed and rejoiced.

We have not seen Jesus with our own eyes. So why should we believe in him? Here’s why: The Bible was written so we can believe what we have not seen. Sometimes our faith is weak, and we wonder if everything in the Bible can be true. Like Thomas, we doubt. The same God who loved Thomas and gave him exactly what he needed loves us, and he gives us everything we need to believe and go to heaven. The Holy Spirit comes to us in baptism and creates faith. Every time we hear God’s Word, the Holy Spirit is right there and assures us, “Yep, it’s all true! Jesus rose from the dead; he conquered death for you!”

In our Bible reading, Jesus said we are blessed because we believe in him even though we do not see him. He promises that one day when we die, we will see him with our own eyes. Then we will know with our eyes what we now know with our hearts. Jesus is our risen Lord and Savior. Believe and rejoice!

Closing Prayer:

Dear Jesus, how grateful we are that you always give us what we need! When we doubt your love for us, come to us in your Word and make us strong again. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

  • Share one thing that happened today that was really good news.
  • What was the best news you heard in today’s devotion?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

  • Have you ever heard news you thought was too good to be true? What was it?
  • How can you believe Jesus is real if you’ve never seen him with your eyes?

Questions for Middle School and Above

  • We sometimes doubt like Thomas. What are some things that make you doubt that God really loves you?
  • What can you do in those moments of doubt to remind yourself of God’s love for you?

 

 

Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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