Morning Devotional

July 19, 2003

“Mine”  

by Don Emmitte

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One of the disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came. They told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he replied, "I won't believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side." Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. He said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don't be faithless any longer. Believe!" "My Lord and my God!" Thomas exclaimed. Then Jesus told him, "You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who haven't seen me and believe anyway." (John 20:24-29 NLV).

There’s just something about owning something. I remember our first house. We have gone back there several times and watched it develop with different owners. It is quite different than when we had it.

"My" - that's a little word that makes a big difference. "My" house . . . "my child" . . . "my friend". It's totally different when it belongs to you. Our reading today talks about one of Jesus' disciples known for 2000 years as "doubting Thomas". Why? Because he was the one disciple who had not seen Jesus after His resurrection, and he just couldn't believe Jesus was alive. Until Jesus appeared to Him and said - "Put your finger here; see My hands." Those are the hands with the nailprints from the cross in them. "Reach out your hand and put it into My side." That's the side with a deep scar from the spear that was thrust into Jesus while He hung on the cross.

Then, "Thomas said to Him, "My Lord and my God." There's the word that changes everything - "my". Thomas had spent three years around Jesus constantly, but may very well have missed making the Lord his very own Lord - until the day he saw the wounds Jesus carried because he had died for Thomas' sins . . . and the day when he realized that Jesus really was alive. From that day on, Thomas could say - like Karen did about that house - "this time, it's mine." I'm praying that maybe today could be that day for you.

Maybe you're like Thomas. You've been around Jesus a lot . . . you maybe even know a lot about Him - but somehow, you've missed making Him your own personal Savior. But this one time, look at His wounds - look at how much He loves you - the Son of God, nailed to a cross to pay for the sinning you have done. He gave everything He had for you. Thomas saw it, and fell at Jesus feet. "My Lord and my God" - He could be yours today. Is He yours? Do you want Him to be? Would you tell Him that right now? This could be the day you look at Jesus and finally say, "This time, He's MINE."