185. Signs and Evidences.

Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. - John 20:27.

HOW struck must Thomas have been when his Lord addressed to him the very words which he had himself used! (See verse 25.)

Jesus knows how to send the word home to us.

In the church of to-day we have many a Thomas — slow, suspicious, critical, full of doubts, yet true-hearted. Thomas set his Lord a test, and thus tried his patience.

The Lord accepted the test, and so proved his condescension.

The proof sufficed for Thomas, and thus showed the Lord's wisdom. Peradventure, certain among us would desire tests of some such sort. To those we would earnestly say—

I. CRAVE NO SIGNS.

After the full proofs which Christ gave to his apostles, we need no more, and to look for further signs and evidences would be wrong. Yet some are demanding miracles, faith healings, visions, voices, impressions, transports, depressions, etc.

1. It is dishonoring to your Lord.

2. It is unreasonable, when the truth bears its own evidence.

3. It is presumptuous. How dare we stipulate for proof more than sufficient, or demand evidence of a sort which pleases our prejudices!

4. It is damaging to ourselves. Faith must be weak while we demand for it such proofs; and in this weakness lies incalculable mischief.

5. It is dangerous. We may readily be driven either into infidelity or superstition, if we give way to this craving for signs.

Picture what Thomas could and would have become under the influence of his unbelief, had not his Lord interposed.

II. YET TURN TO CHRIST'S WOUNDS. Let these stand to you instead of signs and wonders. Behold in these wounds—

1. The seals of his death. He did actually and truly die. How could he outlive that wound in his side?

2. The identification of his person as actually risen.

3. The tokens of his love. He has graven us upon the palms of his hands.

4. The ensigns of his conflict, of which he is not ashamed, for he displays them.

5. The memorials of his passion, by which he is manifested in glory as the Lamb that was slain (Rev. 5:6).

This should more than suffice you; but should doubt still linger—

III. USE SUCH EVIDENCES AS YOU POSSESS.

1. The sacred narrative of our Lord's life and death, if carefully studied, exhibits a singular self-evidencing power.

2. The regenerating and purifying result of faith in the great Lord is a further piece of evidence. "By their fruits ye shall know them" (Matt. 7:20).

3. The solace which faith yields in sorrow is good proof.

4. The strength it gives in the hour of temptation is further help.

5. The ardor of mind and elevation of aim, which faith in Jesus creates, are other experimental arguments.

6. The visitations of the Holy Spirit, in quickening the heart, reviving the spirit, and guiding the mind, are additional proofs. Thus the Holy Ghost bears witness to our Lord.

7. The actual enjoyment of fellowship with the Lord Jesus himself is the master key of the whole controversy. "We have known and believed" (1 John 4:16).

Does this seem an idle tale to you?

Should you not see cause for fear, if it be so?

Seek now to view those wounds believingly, that you may live.