JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to look for the evidence of God in the scars of Jesus.
This was a turning point in the disciple Thomas, when Jesus appeared to him and showed him the scars in His hands. It happened after Jesus rose from the dead. Thomas struggled with believing that Jesus really rose from the dead. But after seeing Him alive, Thomas said to Him, “My Lord and my God.”
Jesus responded by saying, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29)
This is a moving encounter to show us the blessing of believing in the resurrection of Jesus. His scars prove that He is alive and is full of love, because it was love that moved Him to lay down His life for our sins. At His return, Jesus will be identified by His scars. Zechariah 12:10 says, “They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him.”
Take the daily challenge to look for the evidence of God’s love in the scars of Jesus on the journey of faith.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on the testimony of Jesus’ disciples to His resurrection.
In John 20:25, the disciples told Thomas, who had not yet seen Jesus alive, “We have seen the Lord.”
One of the compelling pieces of evidence that Jesus rose from the dead is found in the Bible. There were witnesses, and those witnesses were the disciples of Jesus.
Tim Keller explains why this is significant in his book “The Reason for God.” “Virtually all the apostles and early Christian leaders died for their faith, and it is hard to believe that this kind of powerful self-sacrifice would be done to support a hoax.”
Even though Thomas did not initially believe this report, he too would be convinced after seeing Jesus with his own eyes one week later.
Focusing on the resurrection of Jesus from the dead gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
Keep your radio tuned to WJTL to hear your chance to call in to win a pair of Tickets for A Day Out With Thomas at The Strasburg Rail Road! Thomas will also be joined by this pal, Percy!
The tickets are for the Sunday, June 25th at 12:45 event and they request that you arrive 1 hour prior to departure. Winners must pick up their tickets at The WJTL offices at The Junction Center in Manheim, Pa during office hours today or tomorrow.
Make sure you keep our number in your phone. 717 392-3690
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Connection, today’s Encounter with Jesus examines His resurrection appearance to Thomas.
One of Jesus’ disciples was skeptical that Jesus actually rose from the dead. Jesus had appeared to the other disciples, but not Thomas. When the disciples told Thomas that they had seen the Lord, he responded by saying, “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 it.” For Thomas, seeing was believing.
A week later, Jesus appeared to His disciples. This time, Thomas was with them. Jesus said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” In that moment, Thomas would have seen the evidence that Jesus is alive. He would have also seen the evidence of His love for Thomas. The nail marks revealed the price that Jesus paid for our sins. There is no expression of love more powerful and life-changing.
Jesus said to Thomas, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” That blessing extends to you if you believe the good news of His resurrection.
A daily connection with Christ causes our doubt and skepticism to be overcome by faith and worship.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Moment Of Celebration reflects on the evidence of God’s unfailing love.
Thomas saw the evidence in John 20. The disciples had seen Jesus and told Thomas, “We have seen the Lord!” Thomas was skeptical. He would not believe it unless he saw the nail marks in his hands.
A week later, Jesus appeared to doubting Thomas and made him a believer by showing him his nail-scarred hands. Thomas responded by saying “My Lord and my God.”
In that moment, Thomas was seeing three significant things. The first thing that he saw was that Jesus was brought back to life. His grief turned into joy after seeing His beloved leader alive again.
A second thing that Thomas saw was the power that Jesus had over the grave. In seeing the resurrection power of Jesus, Thomas’s fears turned into hope.
A third thing that Thomas saw was the expression of love that was evident in the nail scars. His doubts turned into confidence that Jesus is alive, and he could trust that the love of Jesus would never fail him.
The evidence of God’s unfailing love is a reason to be glad in the Year of Celebration.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
