Eighth Appearance

The Lord Jesus Christ appeared the eighth time to Thomas. This was eight days after His resurrection. When the Lord first appeared to the disciples (John 20: 24). Thomas was not with them. As soon as they saw him they told him, “We have seen the Lord” (vs.25). Thomas in disbelief replied, “Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.” So, for the sake of Thomas the Lord appeared again and said to him, when he was with the others, “Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.” And Thomas answering exclaimed, “My Lord and my God.” Jesus saith unto him, “Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” Thus we see that the power of His resurrection is experienced by us only as we believe His Word with simple child-like faith and do not depend on our own feelings or signs or dreams for our soulish satisfaction. A large number of believers depend upon signs for spiritual growth and for receiving the power of God, and as a result they remain barren spiritually. We shall have the privilege of enjoying His power as we exercise simple faith in claiming His promises in reading His Word and obeying Him without question in every matter.