Thomas Sees Jesus

Of all the disciples, Thomas gets a bad wrap. A bad reputation. We don’t get a lot of stories about Thomas throughout the 4 gospel accounts we have, but of the few, one sticks out about Thomas, right. And even as I’m speaking your thinking about the name and the reputation of Thomas, and I haven’t even talked about this episode. So let’s go ahead and say it Thomas is known as:

Doubting Thomas

Today we’re going to talk about doubts. Have you ever had doubts about the Claims of Christ or about Christianity? You’re in good company.

We’re going to look at the most famous doubter within the Christian faith and see what we can learn from him. We all have doubts from time to time. As you grow and mature in your faith, I would hope that those doubts lead you into deeper relationship with Jesus.

Let’s go ahead and read todays passage. We’ll see where Thomas gets this nickname and how we can learn from Thomas’ curiosity and even

John 20:

John 20:24–31 ESV

24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” 26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” 30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are 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.

Life After Resurrection

Pray

Let’s take a moment and look at who Thomas is. We don’t get a lot of Thomas stories in the bible. Mostly because he’s not the main Character: Jesus is. We would do well to remember that for our own lives. That may be another sermon. But other than this episode of doubt. What do we know about Thomas

Thomas, called Didymus = Twin

We don’t get a calling story. We don’t know much about how and when Thomas joined the other disciples. Thomas, we are told, is sometimes called Didymus. This is something interesting. . Didymus means twin. We don’t know if Thomas had a twin & he’s not mentioned. Or, some scholars suggest, he was called twin as a nickname, because he looked like someone of significance: possibly Jesus.

His nickname among the disciples is “TWIN,” yet we call him doubting Thomas.

Thomas the Courageous

When Jesus tells his disciples they are going to Judea to visit Lazarus, who is on his deathbed. No one wants to go:

John 11:8 ESV

8 The disciples said to him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?”

John

While all the other disciples were scared, Thomas’ response is in verse 16

John 11:1

John 11:16 ESV

16 So Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

Yes the disciples were afraid for Jesus. People were trying to kill Jesus. If anyone had reason to even more scared, it was Thomas. He looked like Jesus. If people truly did confuse them all the time, so much so that he was called the twin. He, if anyone and legitimate reason to fear going back to Judea. Yet, he says, “I’m with you Jesus!” “Ride or Die” let’s roll.

Curious Thomas

In Jesus is telling his disciples about the new heaven and the new earth. He tells the disciples that he will leave them to join his Father and will prepare a place for them so that they can join him one day. Look at Thomas’ response:

John 14:5 ESV

5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?”

JOhn 14:

He’s curious. He has questions. He not afraid to ask them. On the enneagram, he’s probably a 5. He wants to know the who, what, why, when, and how of everything Jesus says. He’s not afraid to ask questions and Jesus doesn’t mind Thomas asking them. Jesus responds with one of the greatest verses & truths we hold to as Christians:

John 14:6 ESV

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

We don’t don’t get to the heart of who Jesus is without Thomas’ honest questions about. He didn’t fear asking questions, and recieved the greatest truth we could hope to understand.

We should not fear or feel ostracized or like we’re going to offend someone or offend God if you have honest questions and doubts we’re struggling with them. You’ll never uncover the riches and depths of wisdom and faith if you keep your questions and doubts to yourself. You may not get the answer you were thinking or hoping for, but what you receive may be even better.

Thomas wanted a map, Jesus says you get ME!!! I am the way....

That’s Thomas: Courageous, Curious & maybe looks a little like Jesus.

____________

So fast forward to Life after the Resurrection.

Jesus appears to His disciples on resurrection Sunday, but one of them isn’t there

John 20

John 20:24 ESV

24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came.

Why he wasn’t there we’re not told. If he did look like Jesus (again this assumption is speculative at best), and Jesus’ body had gone missing he would have reason to hide a little better than the rest of the disciples and to separate themselves from them.

Regardless of why Thomas wasn’t in the room, word get’s back to him. By the timeline fo scripture it looks like they find him that very night. The other disciples start tell him what has happened.

John 20:25 ESV

25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

This sounds exactly like something a curious and courageous person would say. this is Thomas’ character. When he’s confronted with a new idea or a new “fact” he can’t just accept it to be true. Instead of greeting new information with acceptance, his mind is flooded with questions:

This is how my mind works… maybe yours too

If you said to me “Golden State is a better team than the Rockets.” I just accept that as fact. My mind floods with questions

If you’re making movies and you introduce “Carol Danvers as Captain Marvel” set in the 90’s. My mind doesn’t just go, “Cool!” I get a whole bunch of questions rolling around in my mind. Like where was she all this time. And why didn’t Fury call her on his cosmic pager when the sky opened up over NYC and hordes of aliens started pouring through… maybe that’s just me

Thomas wants to believe, but he just can’t wrap his mind around it...

Maybe this is you and your relationship with Christianity. you want to believe, but there are just somethings you just can’t get your mind wrapped around yet.

Let’s look at what Thomas does, and if you can relate w/ Thomas i would encourage you to do the same

when those doubts and fears start creeping in, here’s what you can do:

Have a desire to see Jesus

Thomas’ reaction to the claim of a resurrected Jesus was not for more information, evidence, inquiries or science. He says I want to see Jesus

To Thomas Jesus is a person

This is the central claim of Christianity: There is a Creator-God of the universe, who is personable and knowable.

The resurrection is a claim, but even more central to that is the idea that the God who created all things is a personable and knowable being. We can have relationship with him.

So if you’re exploring the claims of Christianity. You’re not just exploring facts and scientific possibility: although I do encourage the study of apologetics and all the related fields of research. You are exploring the possibility of a relationship with a living and active being.

Thomas knows beyond the idea of resurrection power, wants to see and be with Jesus.

Anyone who has ever lost a loved one knows this feeling. It’s one thing to talk about, and say, and believe that our loved ones are in heaven. But at the heart of all that talk, all that believe, all that theology and doctrine, is the desire to be with and experience our loved ones again.

All of the formality of dogma, doctrine, & theology is merely a vehicle for relationship with the creator God of the Universe… and he has a name. He is knowable. He is Jesus.

Have a desire to see Jesus. Have a desire to enter into a real relationship with God.

Have Patience

John 20:26 ESV

26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”

John 20:

Eight days later.

A lot can happen in eight days.

This is not only a word to those who are doubting, but also those who already believe

Have Patience

Eight days later

Jesus’ leaves Thomas in his doubt for eight days. - Thomas’ Patience

Thomas is still with the disciples. The disciples Patience

Jesus comes to those who seek

John 20:26-

John 20:26–28 ESV

26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”

Jesus comes to those who seek

Matthew 7:7 ESV

7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

If you’re doubting, keep asking your questions, Keep seeking relationship with the real Jesus, keep beating on the dour o doubt, coming to God with your honest questions… Jesus eventually answers with Peace.

It may not be when you want it. It may not be as quick as 8 days.

John 20:29 ESV

29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Matthew 20:29 ESV

29 And as they went out of Jericho, a great crowd followed him.

Matthew 20:29

This is us. Jesus is speaking blessing into our lives here.

John 20:20–31 ESV

20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” 24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” 26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” 30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are 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.

John 20:

John 20:30–31 ESV

30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are 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.

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