Believing is Seeing

“Jesus saith unto him, ‘Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen and yet have believed.’” (John 20:29)

There are those today who insist on some sign, some miracle, or phenomenon to help them believe. But the age of apostolic sign miracles is over. The proof we need is in the pages of God’s Word.

You and I have not seen the Lord with our physical eyes. We have not seen the nail prints, nor where the thorns pierced His brow. We have not heard His precious voice. But we believe, nevertheless.

Peter knew when The Holy Spirit inspired him to write his first epistle that there were many who had not physically seen Jesus. He knew there would be others after them, folks like you and me, who concerning, “Jesus Christ, whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory…” (I Peter 1:8)  The Bible tells us that we will see Him after this life, with all its strife.

My Lord and My God

“And Thomas answered and said unto Him, ‘My Lord and my God.’” (John 20:28)

When Thomas saw the resurrected Christ he made a confession similar to the confessions others have made. Peter’s confession at Caesarea Philippi was, “thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” The Ethiopian said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”(Acts 8:37) Nathaniel confessed, “Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel. (John 1:49) Martha, sister of Lazarus, made a bold confession in John 8:27 as did the woman at Jacob’s well in John chapter 4.

Thomas boldly declared that Jesus was his Lord, the number one person in his life and his God. He stated that Jesus was deity, God in human form.

Someone has stated that Jesus is the Lord of all or He will not be Lord at all. Is Jesus your Lord? What does your life say? My counsel is to surrender everything to Him and let Him be the ruler of your heart and life.

Adequate Proof for Adequate Faith

“Then saith He to Thomas, ‘Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.’”  (John 20:27)

One can only speculate what may have gone through Thomas’ mind during the week following our Savior’s first appearance to the ten and His appearance on this evening when Thomas was present. What might have been going through the minds of the ten during that time?

Thomas had insisted on solid evidence: the print of the nails and the spear print in the Savior’s side. That is what Jesus gave him. Did some of the ten others tell Jesus or did He who knows all things know that Thomas needed proof? In any case Thomas was given the evidence needed for his faith. Without faith it is impossible to please Him.  (Hebrews 11:6)  

He has given you and me adequate proof to believe Christ is alive and gives life to all who trust Him.

Jesus Again in the Midst

“And after eight days again His disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, ‘Peace be unto you.’”  (John 20:26)

Just as He had done a week earlier, Jesus came where the disciples were, behind closed doors and stood in the midst. The only difference in these two appearances is that Thomas was absent the first time and was present the second time. Jesus even spoke the same words, “Peace be unto you.”

This could have been an opportunity for Jesus to have scolded Thomas for his absence last Sunday, but He did not scold him. The pulpit must have a larger message than, “Where were you?” “Why weren’t you here?” Today’s pastor must feed the sheep, not scold the sheep, beat the sheep or fleece the sheep.

Again, just as He had done last Sunday, Jesus came and stood in the midst. It was a visit from the Chief Shepherd, a visit which Thomas would never forget.

Thomas, the Skeptic

“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.’” (John 20:25)

Thomas was called Didymus. He was Thomas the twin. He earned another title that has stuck with him to this day. He is called, “Doubting Thomas.” From this text for today he could easily be called, “Thomas, the skeptic.”

He insisted on concrete evidence. He had to have proof positive that Jesus was alive. It wasn’t enough for him to hear the others say, “We have seen the Lord.” Although he is a saved man, his speech sounds like the voice of a lost man. How often in our mouthings do many of us who name the name of Christ sound very much like we have never been saved?

Jesus came back the next Sunday night. We will explore that tomorrow. But, could Jesus not have come back into their midst when Thomas was telling them what he would need to see to be convinced?  Thomas would have to think this through for another 168 hours. It’s much like the person who attends church, hears the message, becomes convicted by the Holy Spirit, and the service is dismissed before he can go to the altar. Many a saved person can tell of such an experience from the past.

What Thomas Missed

“But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.” (John 20:24)

Thomas was conspicuous by his absence at the meeting of the ten with Jesus that evening. Peter was there, even though just three days earlier, he had denied that he knew Jesus. Of course, Judas was not there. He had betrayed Jesus, selling him to the Jewish authorities for thirty pieces of silver. His deed brought him deep remorse and he committed suicide by hanging himself.

But, I have often wondered why Thomas was not present. Thomas missed the assurance the others received from the resurrection appearance of Jesus. He missed the fellowship with and strength from the other disciples. He missed the gladness that the others had from seeing Jesus.

When we miss church we miss blessings. Jesus said that where two or three are gathered together in His name that He is in the midst. We are told not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together. But we are to exhort one another. We encourage or discourage others by our church attendance or lack of it. When we miss we do not receive the message God has for us from His messenger.

We Have A Message to Deliver

“Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.” (John 20:23)

Jesus did not give these ten or those who would follow them the power to forgive sins.  In Mark 2 the scribes correctly stated that only God has power to forgive sins. The failure of the scribes was that they did not accept that Christ was God.

What Jesus gave these ten disciples is what He has given Christians today. In our obedience to go as He has sent us, we are to declare the simple way of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus. When a person accepts the message, believes in his heart and makes a confession with his mouth (Romans 10:8-10, 13), we can point him to the Bible showing him his sins are forgiven, just as the Bible states.

If he refuses the message and refuses to confess his sins, refuses to accept Christ as his Savior, he is still a lost sinner and we are to declare that fact to him.  God alone forgives. You and I are to carry the message of forgiveness. What a shame that we have been disobedient and neglectful in that assignment and folks die in their sins not hearing or knowing the message of forgiveness.