Thursday, April 28, 2011
Thomas is one of the lesser known disciples. His name only appears in 12 verses in the Bible. Most of the time in a list of other names. While we don’t know a lot of background information; we know his name is infamous…Doubting Thomas. Thomas is an honest doubter. I believe there are two kinds of doubters - honest doubters and smoke screen doubters. Smoke screen doubters are people who use doubts so they can continue to live any way they want. Doubts are not the real issue…living the way I want is the real issue. Thomas wasn’t like that; his doubt was real, it was honest. Jesus knows what Thomas is struggling with and meets him at the point of his need.
We read about this meeting in John 20:24-29.
We read about this meeting in John 20:24-29.
Now Thomas (Called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So they other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it." A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them ans said, "Peace be with you." Then Jesus said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God.” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet believed.”
Jesus changed Thomas from a doubter to a shouter. I see three important ways from these verses.
1. The stubborn love of Jesus – Jesus transforms Thomas by his love. I see this in verses 26-27. Jesus shows up again, but this time just for Thomas. Jesus connects with Thomas at the spot that Thomas needs him the most. He met Thomas at his doubts. That’s real love. Jesus doesn’t say, “Shame on you, Thomas”. But he says, “Peace to you Thomas”. And Christ lets him do what he wanted so he could believe. That’s the way Christ is; he meets us at our point of weakness and strengthens us with his love. 2 Timothy 2:13 says, “If we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself”. Jesus will never forsake his own, even when our faith is running low, he will meet us and lift us. That’s what he did for Thomas.
2. The confession of Thomas – this is the shouting part. Thomas confessed Jesus as my Lord and my God. That’s the greatest confession anyone can every make. Notice it’s not just Jesus is Lord and Jesus is God. (two theological imperatives). It’s personal – Jesus is my Lord and my God. Have you made that confession?
3. The lesson of Jesus – This teaching moment from Jesus is very powerful. Note verse 29 – You believed because you’ve seen. Blessed are those who haven’t seen and still believed. It’s one thing to see and believe; it’s a greater thing to believe and not see. It’s weak faith to say God do this or that so I can believe you. It’s mature faith to say, "Lord I believe you no matter what, you can do what you want, I’m still believing you." Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things NOT SEEN! (Heb. 11:1). We walk by faith not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7).
The risen Jesus changes us from doubting to believing with his faithful love. He meets us with His peace; not shame. He raises our weak doubts to strong belief. If you have honest doubts today, come back to this basic reality, Jesus Christ is living today. If you believe that – He will move your doubts to shouts.
1. The stubborn love of Jesus – Jesus transforms Thomas by his love. I see this in verses 26-27. Jesus shows up again, but this time just for Thomas. Jesus connects with Thomas at the spot that Thomas needs him the most. He met Thomas at his doubts. That’s real love. Jesus doesn’t say, “Shame on you, Thomas”. But he says, “Peace to you Thomas”. And Christ lets him do what he wanted so he could believe. That’s the way Christ is; he meets us at our point of weakness and strengthens us with his love. 2 Timothy 2:13 says, “If we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself”. Jesus will never forsake his own, even when our faith is running low, he will meet us and lift us. That’s what he did for Thomas.
2. The confession of Thomas – this is the shouting part. Thomas confessed Jesus as my Lord and my God. That’s the greatest confession anyone can every make. Notice it’s not just Jesus is Lord and Jesus is God. (two theological imperatives). It’s personal – Jesus is my Lord and my God. Have you made that confession?
3. The lesson of Jesus – This teaching moment from Jesus is very powerful. Note verse 29 – You believed because you’ve seen. Blessed are those who haven’t seen and still believed. It’s one thing to see and believe; it’s a greater thing to believe and not see. It’s weak faith to say God do this or that so I can believe you. It’s mature faith to say, "Lord I believe you no matter what, you can do what you want, I’m still believing you." Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things NOT SEEN! (Heb. 11:1). We walk by faith not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7).
The risen Jesus changes us from doubting to believing with his faithful love. He meets us with His peace; not shame. He raises our weak doubts to strong belief. If you have honest doubts today, come back to this basic reality, Jesus Christ is living today. If you believe that – He will move your doubts to shouts.
Pastor Tim
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