Confessing Jesus – Part 4

April 16, 2026

Broadcast

                       Confessing Jesus - Part 4
                              John 20:29
                              04/16/2026


        29   Jesus said to him, ``Have you believed because you
             have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen
             and yet have believed.''  (ESV)

        Last Sunday the Church prayed:
        Almighty God, grant that we who have celebrated the
        Lord's resurrection may by Your grace confess in our
        life and conversation that Jesus is Lord and God.


        Yesterday we asked the question, ``How does this prayer
   relate to Thomas?''  Because Thomas saw and touched Jesus, he
   confessed Jesus as Lord and God.  According to tradition, Thomas
   traveled to India and, possibly, China to proclaim the good news
   of Jesus Christ.  He made this good confession, both in word and
   deed, as he brought the peace of God to those in the Asian
   subcontinent.

        You and I, however, do not have the luxury of touching
   Jesus' wounds or hearing His voice.  Yet, all who believe in Him
   came to faith because God revealed Himself to them.  We believe,
   teach, and confess that faith comes from hearing the Word of God
   in its truth and purity.

        ``Jesus said to [Thomas], ``Have you believed because you
   have seen me?  Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have
   believed.' '' You and I are counted among the blessed, for the
   truth of salvation by God's rich grace alone has been given to
   us.

        May our Lord grant that we hear His Word and believe that
   Jesus Christ is our Lord and God as confessed by Thomas.  Amen.