‘From Eden … to the Cross!’

“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed!” (John 20:29). Jesus’ words to Thomas echo through the centuries and warm the heart of every true believer. Thomas needed to SEE Jesus before he would believe that He was alive. Since Jesus ascended into heaven the Gospel has been proclaimed, calling people to believe what we cannot yet see: that Jesus IS alive, that He was victorious over death, that He is seated at the Father’s right hand, ruling over all things for His Church, the called-out assembly, His Body. This is what Paul was speaking of when he wrote to the believers in Ephesus, thanking God for the Spirit of wisdom and revelation that He had given them … “having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may KNOW what is the hope to which He has called you, what are the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His great might that He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things under His feet and gave Him as Head over all things to the Church, which is His Body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all!” (Ephesians 1:18-23). Indeed, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed!” So Peter writes in I Peter 1:8-9: “Though you have not seen Him, you love Him. Though you do not now see Him, you believe in Him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls!!” Praise be to God for His gift of LIFE in Jesus Christ!!