Speaking of our Lord’s post-resurrection appearance, we are told, “He was seen of above five hundred brethren at once.” This does not include such as Peter, Paul, John, Thomas, the other disciples, and women; I think.
I used to long to have lived in that early 1st Century, and been privileged to gaze upon Him in His risen form. To have watched as He ate a meal and later ascended into the heavens. How blessed I thought I would have been.
But then one day it struck me: this is not what Jesus taught. For He said, “Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” Do you realize the depth and implication of what our Lord said? Is it any wonder that Peter wrote to such people saying, “Whom having not seen, you love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory”? You know, being a 21st Century Christian may not be as bad as some think.
“Seeing is believing” is not the most blessed way, says our Lord.
by an Old Disciple