Drones
It's a bird! It's a plane! No, it's a drone!
There is a phenomenon occurring across multiple states in the U.S.A. right now - drone sightings. Where I live in New Jersey there have been thousands of sightings. At first, though I hadn't seen a drone, I believed what was happening. But then, as the mass hysteria across social media ensued, I stumbled upon some home videos of commercial airliners and people labeling them drones. Immediately, doubt began to set in. I thought, "My goodness, is that what people are seeing? Planes?" The videos changed my entire outlook on the drone sightings and I began poking some fun at the expense of the hysteria.
But then, just a few days later I spotted a drone. I was driving along the highway and noticed one in plain sight. It was clearly not a plane - it was flying too low and it was changing course and speed unlike a commercial airliner would (there is a major airport not too far from where I live so I'm familiar with the various flight routes in the area).
Needless to say, I repented of my doubt and once again, found myself able to believe the drone sightings were a real phenomenon. But it wasn't until after I saw the drone with my own eyes that I began to believe again. This reminds me of how the disciple Thomas reacted when he was told Jesus had risen from the dead.
Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said to him, "We have seen the Lord." So he said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into HIs side, I will not believe." (John 20:24-25)
Thomas, being a disciple of Jesus, would have surely believed He was the Messiah. But when Jesus went to the Cross and died, it must have shaken his faith, as well as others. Though Jesus had just raised Lazarus from the dead (ref. John 11:38-44), and though Jesus had just taught Thomas and the rest of the disciples that He would die and be resurrected (ref. Matt 16:21), it was still difficult for them to process that the One they had placed all their faith and trust in was gone.
The videos of the "planes" did for me what the crucifixion of Jesus did for Thomas and the others. It created a stumbling block - or in other ways, it challenged everything. Are these drones just planes flying around? Is Jesus really the Messiah?
Well, it took seeing a drone for me to believe, and it took Thomas physically interacting with the resurrected Christ for him to regain his faith...
And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut; and stood in the midst, and said, "Peace to you!" Then He said to Thomas, "Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing." And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My LORD and my God!" (John 20:26-28)
The LORD was kind and gracious to Thomas, but He left him with something to consider...
Jesus said to him, "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." (John 20:29)
What does this mean - Blessed are those who have NOT seen, but still believe? It means everything! It means that as Jesus' disciples we are called to grow into and possess an unshakeable faith (ref. Hebrews 3:6). This is a faith we must have for salvation (ref. Ephesians 2:8). Therefore, let us cling to what He has taught us and not be deceived by the enemy, satan.
When it comes to drone sightings, it's not a matter of salvation, but when it comes to believing in Jesus - it's an eternal life and death situation! Here's how it should look: We don't see Him physically, but we believe. We don't always see the outcome of what He is asking, but we believe and obey. And when the enemy tries to deceive us with muddied recollections of scripture (ref. Genesis 3:1) or get us to question our faith another way, let us turn our hearts to the Holy Spirit in submission and the devil will flee (ref. James 4:7).
Let our actions be governed by our faith, not by what we see.
For we live by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7)
If you would like to know more about Jesus' gospel and salvation please follow this link:
Comments