Mark 15:32  Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him.
The mob that was witnessing the crucifixion of our dear Lord wanted to see Him come down from the cross in order to believe.   Here’s another text with a similar thought… John 4:48  Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.  The world has the order all wrong!  Their attitude is show me and I will believe.  God’s word is emphatic that it is faith that pleases God. The world’s order is see and believe,
God’s order is believe to see! Quite the opposite!  Listen to the Psalmist David… Psalm 27:13  I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.  Thomas was not present the first time Jesus appeared to the disciples.  Notice his statement here… John 20:25  The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.
Thomas was demanding to see before he would believe.  He would not believe even though the message was coming from the very men that he had traveled with.  Now here’s the grand finale for today’s devotion… John 20:29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.   Blessed are they!  Are you a partaker of this blessing?  I didn’t see the miracles Jesus performed,  I didn’t see Him crucified, I didn’t see Him raise from the tomb, but I know He did!  The Savior that spoke to my heart and delivered me from the penalty of sin is very much alive!  I was standing with a group on a trip to Israel years ago.  The guide said this is where we believe they laid the body of Jesus.  I began to weep.  A man standing beside me said what’s wrong?  I told him I’m glad I didn’t have to get on a plane and fly thousands of miles to know the tomb was empty!  Praise the Lord!  We’re not blessed because we see, we’re blessed because we believe!  Amen.  Pastor