Horton heard

Read > John 20:24-29

Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen Me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing Me” (v. 29).

The movie Horton Hears a Who, an animated film based on Dr Seuss’ children’s book, is about an elephants with a huge heart. Horton, the lovable pachyderm, makes a startling discovery – a speck of dust floating by him is actually a tiny world inhabited by microscopic-sized inhabitants known as “Whos.” Horton can’t see the people of Whoville, but he hears one of them.

Out of a heart of compassion, Horton takes action to protect the fragile state of Whoville. No one in Horton’s world, however, believes him. They accuse him of being crazy, and they plot against his efforts to help his tiny friends. His doubters simply refuse to believe in what they cannot see.

I can identify with Horton. By faith, I’ve given myself over to Someone I’ve never seen. Sure, I’ve observed evidences of God in creation (Psalm 19:1-2), but I’ve never laid eyes on Him. Yet I know His Spirit resides in me and speaks truth to my heart. And though I’ve not seen Jesus in person, I accept by faith and follow the One who is the Saviour of the world (John 1:29).

Many people had the privilege of seeing the risen Jesus in the days after He gave “His life as a ransom for the world” (Mark 10:45). On one occasion, before ascending to heaven, He appeared to more than 500 people in a single location (1 Corinthians 15:6)! While we can’t see Jesus with our eyes today, He promised a special blessing on all who believe in His resurrection without seeing Him – “Blessed are those who believe without seeing Me” (John 20:29).

As you celebrate the risen Saviour, don’t let yourself feel cheated because you can’t see Jesus. Instead, be open to receiving the joy He promised to those who “see” Him by faith. – Jeff Olson

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Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see (Hebrews 11:1).

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How have you “seen” Jesus this week? What blessings have you experienced as you’ve believed in One you “cannot see”?