Doubt

Tuesday, November 2, 2021

24-25 But Thomas, sometimes called the Twin, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We saw the Master.”

But he said, “Unless I see the nail holes in his hands, put my finger in the nail holes, and stick my hand in his side, I won’t believe it.”

26 Eight days later, his disciples were again in the room. This time Thomas was with them. Jesus came through the locked doors, stood among them, and said, “Peace to you.”

27 Then, he focused his attention on Thomas. “Take your finger and examine my hands. Take your hand and stick it in my side. Don’t be unbelieving. Believe.”

28 Thomas said, “My Master! My God!”

29 Jesus said, “So, you believe because you’ve seen with your own eyes. Even better blessings are in store for those who believe without seeing.”

30-31 Jesus provided far more God-revealing signs than are written down in this book. Nevertheless, these are written down, so you will believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and in the act of believing, have real and eternal life in how he personally revealed it.

-John 20:24-31 The Message

Verse 24: But Thomas, one of the twelve, who was called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.

Verse 25: So the other disciples were saying to him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”

Verse 26: Eight days later, His disciples were again inside, and Thomas was with them. Jesus *came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be to you.”

Verse 27: Then He *said to Thomas, “Place your finger here, and see My hands; and take your hand and put it into My side; and do not continue in disbelief, but be a believer.”

Verse 27 study: Jesus resurrected body was unique. It’s not the same kind of flesh and blood Lazarus had when he came back to life. Jesus’ body doesn’t have the same laws of nature as before his death. He can appear not as a ghost or an apparition because he can be touched and can eat. His resurrection was literal and physical; he is not a disembodied spirit.

Verse 28: Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”

Verse 29: Jesus *said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you now believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.”

Verse 29 study: Do you believe people need to see a miracle or a sign of it to have people start believing in Jesus? We are blessed if we can believe without seeing. The proof is in the writing in the Bible and the testimony of believers. Jesus making a physical appearance would not make him any more real than he is now.

Verses 24-29 studies: How do you feel about Thomas’ situation? Do you agree that you want to see Jesus physically? Do you want to have a moment to touch him, hear his words and advice? God’s plans are always wiser. He didn’t limit himself to one physical body. You can talk to him, find his words in pages in the Bible, and he can be as real as he can be as he was to Thomas.

Verses 25-28 studies: There is nothing wrong with doubting. With Thomas, he doubted Jesus and had a ton of skepticism. If your doubts lead to questions, which leads to answers, and you accept those answers, doubt did its work. What makes doubting bad is when it becomes stubborn and leads to a lifestyle that mistrust harms faith. If you are in doubt, don’t stop there. Let it deepen as you continue to dig deep to search for answers.

Why This Gospel Was Written

Verse 30: So then, many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book;

Verse 31: but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that by believing you may have life in His name.

Verses 30-31 studies: Studying the Gospels is a way to fully understand Jesus and his life. John tells us his Gospel records only a few of Jesus’ life events on earth. But the gospel includes everything we need to know to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, in which we receive eternal life.

Father, everybody has an uncertain future. That uncertainty can turn into fear. I pray that every day fear creeps in that you are there to remind us that we should have faith and know you are in control. In Jesus’ name. Amen!