"Seeing is Believing?"

Scripture Reading

John 20:28–29 (ESV)

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.”

Opening Hymn 245: More About Jesus

Closing Hymn 524: ‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus

Introduction

The story of a boy whose house is on fire and climbs to the roof. His father tells him to jump, but the boy is hesitant, because he cannot see his father, but the father insists that the boy should jump. The boy then says “but dad I cannot see you” and the father replies: “Don't worry I can see you.”

Context

Jesus has been crucified

The apostles are hiding in fear of the repercussions following the death of Jesus, Mary Magdalene reports back to Peter and John to say that the tomb is empty fearing that his body was stolen

Then on that very day in the evening, all the doors are locked, and Jesus appears to all the disciples, except Thomas.

Mar Thoma?

We don't know too much about Thomas, except that he was a twin as his name Didymus (Gk: two-fold or Twain) makes reference to and church historians credit Thomas for bringing the gospel to India. (some of you will be familiar with the church Mar Thoma, which means St Thomas).

Human Logic?

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.”

Thomas is adamant, I'll believe it when I see it

What surprises me is that after three years being with Jesus, Thomas is using human logic and, what we nowadays call, evidence-based arguments.

Human logic is not a bad thing: human logic has led to great scientific breakthroughs that have transformed the way we live. Human logic is good, but it will only take you so far. When it comes to knowing Jesus, human logic is completely deficient.

Why?:

John 4:24 (ESV)

24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Before You Touch Me

John 20:27 (NLT)

27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!”

By returning to the home of the disciples a second time, Jesus extended grace to Thomas, so much so that he invites him to touch him

However, before Thomas touches Jesus, there's a clause: “Don’t touch me without first believing”

Don't be faithless – the word used in Greek is Apistos, which means an unbeliever or someone who rejects God (is there more to Thomas’ absence that the Bible is not revealing?)

When you approach God’s Word BELIEVE, when you approach God’s church BELIEVE, when you receive God’s calling in your life BELIEVE and when you approach God’s table you must BELIEVE.

You cannot approach God with human logic alone.

A Better Quality of Faith

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.”

There is a faith that says “I'll believe it when I see it.”

Jesus demands a better quality of faith:

Hebrews 11:1 (KJV 1900)

1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Job 13:15 (ESV)

15 Though he slay me, I will hope in him;

Psalm 23:4 (ESV)

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil,

2 Corinthians 4:9 (ESV)

9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;

Matthew 26:26 (ESV)

26 ... “Take, eat; this is my body.”

Conclusion

As you approach this communion table, are you doing so in the human logic of seeing is believing.

Today Jesus extends his grace (in the same way He did to Thomas) by inviting you to come — but come in faith.

Faith that says Lord I believe but help my unbelief.