My wife is an identical twin. Jeanne and her sister Joanne have the same birthday. Their names are spelled with only one letter different. Their social security numbers are only one number different. They look alike, laugh alike and have many other similarities.

When they were very young even their parents had trouble determining who was who. There are photos of the young twins where it is almost impossible to tell them apart. When they were in grade school they traded classes for a day and the teacher didn’t know it. They loved being twins in grade school and high school. Everyone remembers the twins. During most of their adult lives they continued to look alike. They recently celebrated their 70^th birthday together.

Several years ago a family from our church was at the airport in St. Louis. As they were waiting for their flight, they saw my wife riding up a nearby escalator. But they noticed that the man she was with wasn’t me! Why was my wife with another man? One of them called her name – Hi Jeanne! She answered – I’m not Jeanne, I’m Joanne! Another family from our church was visiting some relatives in Chandler, Arizona. As they drove through the neighborhood one of their kids saw Jeanne. They stopped their car and hollered out the window – Hi Jeanne Hopper! But, it wasn’t Jeanne – it was her twin sister Joanne.

When Joanne visited our church many people greeted her thinking she was Jeanne. One child said – there are two Jeanne Hoppers!

Did you know there are twins mentioned in the Bible? Two brothers named Jacob and Esau were twins but they did not look alike. Jacob deceived their father and stole his brother’s birth right. (Genesis 27). One of the twelve disciples was also a twin. His name was Thomas (Hebrew) who was also called Didymus (Greek) – both words mean Twin (John 11:16). He is often referred to as Doubting Thomas because he refused to believe that Jesus rose from the dead until he could see, hear and touch Jesus himself (John 20:24-31). When Thomas finally saw Jesus alive he was convinced beyond all doubt.

I wonder if you believe that Jesus is alive. Or do you still have doubts and questions. Jesus’ own followers initially had questions and doubts too. Let me encourage you to examine the evidence for yourself. Read the words of those who saw him alive after his death on the cross in the final chapters of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Read the eyewitness testimonies in the book of Acts. You will be glad you did and I will too!

Read 365 more stories and articles – one for every day of the year – in the author’s book – Let Me Encourage You by Mark Hopper. The Christmas Sale price is two books for only $30 plus postage. Buy one for yourself and one for a friend or family member. Order your books now at Markh@efreedb.org