More than meets the eye by Cheryl Sidler (Ministry Assistant)

What are you “known for” in your mind?  Consider these snapshots…

Thomas, one of the twelve disciples

He is probably best known as “doubting Thomas” due to his need for tangible proof that Jesus was raised to life in John 20:24-28. We tend to gloss over the fact that he did believe immediately once he was shown Jesus’ scars.  Thomas was an inquisitive-type (John 14:5) who probably asked the questions others were thinking. Thomas was also ready to die with Jesus early on (John 11:16).  There’s more to this disciple than doubt.

Martha, sister of Mary and Lazarus

She is often remembered from Luke 10:38-42 as the one who was “distracted by all the preparations that had to be made” and then complained that her sister did not help…instead, her sister, Mary, “chose what is better.”  Well, as a “Martha-type” myself, I’ve often felt badly about this until John 11:17-27 came to life for me.  Martha was the one who went to meet Jesus first as He arrived at the tomb of her recently deceased brother, Lazarus. Martha expressed her faith that Jesus could do anything and stated that she knew He was the Christ! She had a shining moment too!

Samaritan woman at the well

This woman is known for her conversation with Jesus in John 4:7-42. Samaritans were considered very lowly by Jews at that time but Jesus chose to speak to this woman anyway.  He saw her for who she really was…a broken woman, living a rather scandalous life.  But her interaction with Jesus changed her. Verse 28 tells us she left her water jar (suggesting she left immediately), to tell people in town about Jesus so they would come see him.  Then, verses 39-41 tell us “Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.”  So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. And because of his words many more became believers.”  God used this woman in a pretty major way!

Peter, one of the twelve disciples

Peters is often known for denying that he knew Jesus after Jesus was arrested (Mt 26:69-72, Mk 14:66-72, Lk 22:54-62). But we also need to remember that Peter confessed Christ first (Mt 16:13-20, Mk 8:27-30, Lk 9:18-27), was re-instated by Jesus (Jn 21:15-19), and became a bold preacher who wrote some of the New Testament.

Don’t define yourself or others by one snapshot moment in time!  As the song, Who But You (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8o3T1S3xBAs), states, “I see a star; You see the Milky Way, I see one man counting sand, But you see generations.”   We see such a small picture but God sees the whole portrait!  (Ephesians 2:8-10)  Through the lives of those in the Bible and through our own life, God reminds us that we are not perfect as we follow Him but we are His … saved by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ. And there is always more than meets the eye…