“The gospel is simple and easily understood so that we might come to Him in the simplest of ways. He did not make it difficult. Along with this salvation comes a change of heart and that is just the beginning of complexities, not based on who God is but rather on what we were and are meant to become. If we cannot keep focused on who God is in character and performance, our minds will become filled with error.”

When I saved yesterday’s devotional I discovered that I had used the title “See Me” two years ago. It was a different devotional with the above. The simplicity of the gospel allows anyone to understand. No one likes to be called simple. It is an insult. If we can grasp something more complex, we feel special. We all want to feel better about ourselves. A clear conscience is one of the reasons we sought salvation in the first place.

The principles of simplicity in growth is our ability to digest. Milk to herbs to meat is the progression of our growth in the Word of God. A steady diet of only meat is not healthy for the body and spiritually speaking not heath for the soul.

Hebrews 5:12-14 English Standard Version (ESV)

¹² For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, ¹³ for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. ¹⁴ But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

Within these passages are two gifts, teaching and discernment. A proper diet is meant to strengthen the soul by practicing the gifts given and not just sitting around watching without participating. We call those people “pew potatoes”. Yes it is an insult. It is meant to make each of us do an inventory of our activities within the body of Christ. We are not just place holders. We are meant to grow through activity in the gifts given with purpose.

John 20:24-31 English Standard Version (ESV)

Jesus and Thomas

²⁴ Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. ²⁵ So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

²⁶ Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” ²⁷ Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” ²⁸ Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” ²⁹ Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

The Purpose of This Book

³⁰ Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; ³¹ but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Is the only way to see Jesus through human eyes and human touch? Thomas was resolute in his requirements to believe. “I have to see it to believe it.” Jesus revealed Himself to Thomas so that Thomas would believe. Thomas belonged to Jesus and Jesus was going to make sure that Thomas believed.

What is it going to take for you to believe? John’s gospel was written so that we all might believe. There are many details and prayers in John’s gospel that are not contained within the synoptic gospels. There are things in those three gospels which John did not document. Even the order of events vary but that should not take away the importance of any of the gospels in allowing you to see the life and times of Jesus Christ.