Thomas, a disciple of Jesus Christ
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· 18 viewsThomas a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ, initially doubting the resurrection but gracefully visited and convinced by his Saviour
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Dear congregation: A week ago we stood still at the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. We had the privilege to look at the holiday weekend through a Biblical lens while multitudes, whole over the world, were busy with fluffy bunnies and painted eggs.
Our society has mostly turned to the more pagan thought of spring, fertility and new life. And when you think about it, you can’t help seeing the irony of this when large numbers of our global population deny the sanctity of life and support the killing of their children in the womb, and let’s not forget Canadian policies on MAiD (Medical Assistance in Dying). The latter responsible for 1 in 20 deaths here in Canada.
As Christians around the globe did celebrate life just a week ago, their focus was on the Lord Jesus who conquered death, rose on the third day, guaranteeing eternal life for those who are united with Him. True life that is.
While preparing this message I was struggling with the topic for today. Should I use a refurbish and older message, or should I look at the current moment in the year and focus on that? Eventually I decided to focus on this time of the year, but then some 2000 years ago. The Lord’s day one week after Jesus rose from the grave. What happened and who were involved. What was so significant and how does that apply to us today?
Many might have returned to the regular Sunday practice now the time of advent is behind us, as is Christ’s suffering, death and resurrection. But by doing so, aren’t we forgetting what the Suday represents?
In the Russian language the day of Sunday is called Voskresen'ye. Meaning: Resurrection. Voskresen'ye, the day of the resurrection. Every Sunday, a remembrance of the resurrection. Do we still realize that, also this Sunday, April 27, 2025?
But what happened this specific Sunday some 2000 years ago? We read about it in the Gospel of John in chapter 20. Jesus visiting His disciples for a second Lord’s Day in a row. However, this day was different from the prior week. The first time one of the Disciples was missing, but today he is present. Gathered with his brethren, Thomas is present during this meeting and the Lord is visiting again.
Today we will look at this event with our focus on one of the disciples, Thomas. We do this with the theme: “Thomas, a disciple of Jesus Christ”. With the help of our Lord we will look at three points.
Thomas, the person
Thomas’ Unbelieve
Thomas’ Saviour
Thomas, the person
Thomas, the person
Who - was - Thomas? This was an interesting question to pen down when I was preparing for this message, but it became soon clear that there isn’t really a lot of information available when it comes to Thomas.
In several places in our Bibles Thomas is referred to as Didymos, meaning "twin," because his name, Thomas, is derived from the Aramaic word "Tʾōmā," also meaning "twin". The Greek equivalent, "Didymos," is used in the New Testament alongside the name Thomas. This indicates a symbolic or literal association with a twin, possibly relating to the idea of a "double nature" of which we see more in a moment, or actually having a twin brother or sister.
Though Scripture does not reveal anything about the birth and death of this disciple, many historians do agree that he was most likely born in Galilee in a humble family. A reference for this is found in Acts 1:10-11
10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 11 who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven?
“Men of Galilee”. The mentioning of Galilee is used to address all disciples during the Lord’s ascension into heaven. In the book of Acts, chapter 1, Thomas isn’t specifically mentioned but when we read Luke 24:50-51 and Mark 16:15-19, we can conclude that all eleven remaining disciples were present at the event.
Scripture mentions him in the four Gospels and in the book of Acts. In Matthew, Mark, Luke and Acts he is described as being present at certain events, while in the Gospel of John he speaks in John 11:16
16 Then Thomas, who is called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with Him.”
Showing both courage and dedication. And we see him again in Chapter 20 as we just read in our text. The same text that gave him the nickname “Doubting Thomas”. In the Dutch language, he is known as, and I translate in English, “Unbelieving Thomas”.
When asking people about Thomas, most will be able to recall the event where Thomas spoke out in unbelief, while his performance in John 11 is easily forgotten. Earlier I mentioned his, possible “double nature”. These two texts would be used to justify that,
Another topic of discussion between historians is Thomas’ profession. Some would claim him to be a scholar due to his inquisitive nature, while the Apocrypha in the Acts of Thomas speak of him being a carpenter. Besides all guessing and speculation we do read in Acts 21 that the Lord appears before seven of His disciples at the sea of Tiberias where they were fishing. One of them was Thomas, which makes it quite possible that he was a fisherman.
Though there may be discussion about his profession, through Scripture we do know that, like the other disciples, Thomas was called to be a witness in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to all ends of the world. We read about this in Acts 1 as well as in Mark 16 to name a few.
We have no indication that Thomas sat still after all the others started their ministries. Again, Scripture does not reveal anything about Thomas’ whereabouts in regards to his ministry, but tradition and again the Acts of Thomas tell about him travelling to India and China, where he is said to have proclaimed the Gospel.
Either the traditional accounts are true or not, we do not know for sure, but on the basis of Scripture we do know that Thomas was called for the ministry, just like the others.
Though short, we’ve got an idea about Thomas, the person. Time to move on and have a closer look at our text. This brings us to our second point.
Thomas’ unbelieve
Thomas’ unbelieve
25 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.
The words spoken by Thomas that would give him the nick name: “Doubting Thomas” or as we saw earlier “Unbelieving Thomas”. Either you prefer the doubting or unbelieving reference, fact is that Thomas showed here plain unbelief. The reason I say that so plainly is due to the wording in the text. If Thomas would have merely doubted, the text could have been
“When 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, then I will believe”. but instead the text reads:
25 “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”
You might say “Well, those two options are quite alike” and when we take the English language as our standard, you would have a point. However, in the Greek language words do matter a lot and will tell us much about the feelings behind the expression. The difference in this case is made by the word “Unless” and the phrase “I will NOT believe”.
From a Greek language perspective we might compare it with a set of steps which we will can call the “steps of unbelief”. The first text option would be one step down. Though there is doubt, there is a possibility left for belief, there still is some kind of willingness expressed. But with the actual text we see a continuation in the unbelief, leading us two positions further down on our set of steps.
We might rightfully conclude that Thomas is taking a very bold and dangerous position here. But there is also a positive note here. Though Thomas wasn’t present at the first meeting a week earlier, either that was due to fear, grief, illness or any other reason, he was present now. He returned into the midst of his brethren. And we may say here: “By the grace of God”.
Maybe some of you recognizes him or herself in this. Perhaps you had moments in your life that you stayed away from the gatherings of the saints or maybe, for a period, you turned from God altogether. Or maybe you wanted to come, but there were other reasons why you were hindered to come. But praise be to God if you found your way back. May you be blessed abundantly in your journey with God. May you all be blessed. And as the disciples welcomed Thomas in their midst, will you as a congregation do the same and show that same welcoming spirit.
But back to Thomas. His unbelief was evident and it gave him his nick name.
Yes, Thomas was absent on the first Lord’s Day, and was approached by the Lord on the second Lord’s Day. When we tell the story we often aim our spotlight on Thomas and highlight his unbelief. But what is the aim of the Scriptures? Who reveals himself through the Word? It isn’t Thomas. Neither is this text primarily about Thomas but about the Lord Jesus Christ. Never forget that.
But since Thomas has a central place in today’s message, we ought to ask ourselves why we labeled him as the sole unbelieving one. Is that even fair? Look with me at Luke 24:10-11
10 Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them, who told these things to the apostles. 11 And their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them.
And then during the evening in Luke 24:37-41
37 But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. 38 And He said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.” 40 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. 41 But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to them, “Have you any food here?”
The disciples here were gathered for the first time since the resurrection while Thomas wasn’t present. Their fears, doubts and unbelief are related to the idea that they are seeing a ghost, since solid bodies can’t go through walls and closed doors or windows. This is also the reason why Jesus asks for food, as ghosts wouldn’t eat food. The point here is that though Thomas is labeled as the doubting or even unbelieving one, the fact is that all disciples were having the same problem.
Now we saw that all disciples struggled with unbelief, but what about you an me? “Well, what about me?” you may ask. You could say that you have never doubted Christ’s bodily resurrection, and I would readily belief you. But why is it that your belief? You might answer: “It is written in God’s Word”. And yes..… it is. Reality is, that in order to belief Scripture’s claim, we have to belief that Scripture is true. Many Christians we know would claim that the Bible is the inerrant, infallible and inspired Word of God. Holding final authority over our course of faith and conduct of life. Is that you confession as well? Do you belief that about Scripture? Do you belief that Scripture is absolute true and holds final authority over your life? Do you? Really?
You never doubted when you look back at the course of life? Didn’t you have any doubts when difficult times in your life appeared? Have you always been confident that God’s promises were for you as well? Let’s not fool ourselves. We all had and have our moments of doubt and struggle. And mostly it isn’t because we don’t want to belief. Often our doubts appear because we forgot the words spoken to us, or we have things in our own lives that drive us away from God. Maybe it is caused by the fact that life doesn’t always answer to our wishes and desires. Isn’t that true for all of us? And when we find ourselves in situations like that, how do we respond? Like a Thomas who doesn’t show up, or like a Peter who sees his pride shattered because of fear? Don’t we all have moments like that, moments that, no matter the cause, eventually all point to unbelief?
If this sounds familiar to you, are you also familiar with the Thomas, Peter or David who find their way back? Not in their own strength, because that would only guarantee eternal loss, but by the grace of God. This loving God who stretches out his hands to David in the person of Nathan, or to Thomas on that second gathering or to Peter on the beach as he restores him in his position. Or to you in the person of a friend, family member, even a stranger, or like today, in his word. Reaching out to you and me. And when we are touched by the Holy Spirit and may remember again, we can ask ourselves..… “How did I ever forget?”
Doesn’t that apply to the disciples as well? While we have Scripture to remind us, the disciples had the word of God spoken to them directly, by Jesus, the second person of the Trinity, by Jesus, by God himself. And still, they forgot.
Didn’t Jesus clearly tell them in Mark 8:31
31 And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.
or Mark 9:31
31 For He taught His disciples and said to them, “The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him. And after He is killed, He will rise the third day.”
And Mark 10:33-34
33 “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him to the Gentiles; 34 and they will mock Him, and scourge Him, and spit on Him, and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again.”
Three text portions from Mark telling us that the disciples could have known. Three moments in which the Lord foretold his death and resurrection. Not three versions of one account, no, three different accounts. The Lord foretold his future at least three times directly, face-to-face, in person to the disciples, and they forgot, with unbelief as a result.
But the label of unbelief is attached to Thomas and not to the others. If we paid attention, we saw that they deserved that label just as much. And it doesn’t stop there as the trend continues in our own lives as well.
Thomas was granted assurance as Christ showed himself to him. What a merciful act of our Lord shown to Thomas. Not just towards Thomas, but to his disciples as well and ultimately to you and to me.
Still the Lord reveals himself through his creation and through his word. In our text though, Jesus comes near to his doubting and unbelieving child and claims Thomas as one of his own.
This brings us to our third and last point.
Thomas’ Saviour
Thomas’ Saviour
26 And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!”
Again, just like the week prior, Jesus appeared in the midst of the disciples, again the doors shut. And again sounded his greeting “Peace to you”.
Not just a polite greeting, but a greeting from the Lord himself. Not just an empty peace wish as can be heard among people, but peace as it can only be found with God. Not just for the moment, but for the life present AND the life to come. Everlasting. Not just a wish, but out of the mouth of the risen Christ a promise to those united with and in him.
Did you know that this greeting is still extended in many churches today? many churches that find their roots in the days of the Reformation start their worship services with votum and greeting. The minister then opens with the words:
“Our help and our expectation is in the name of the Lord, who made the heavens and the earth, who lives and keeps truth forever and will not forsake the works of his own hands”.
Followed by, and here it comes.
“Peace be to you from Him which was, which is and which is to come”.
As Jesus greeted his followers then, and as also Paul used a variant in his letters.
“Peace to you”
And then the Lord catered to Thomas and granted him the demands that the disciple voiced in his unbelief. Jesus didn’t have to do it and could have left Thomas in his unbelief. But, here he came to Thomas, aware of his deepest needs. Like only he knows the dept of these needs. He came to collect Thomas back to himself, just like the first half Ezek. 34:16
16 “I will seek what was lost and bring back what was driven away, bind up the broken and strengthen what was sick
And the Lord visited Thomas in his weakness, shouldn’t we do the same when we are aware of the weaknesses of others. How easy it is to recognize one’s infirmities and simply condemn them?
Not too long ago I read a Facebook post where somebody wrote “Burn in hell”, addressed to a person who recently passed away. I responded to that post with the words: “What happened to the compassion, brother”.
His response was: “I leave that to the Lord, I don’t have compassion for.....”. And what followed.
Doesn’t that break your heart?
Aren’t we, as believers, supposed to become more like Christ? And if that’s the case, was this a Christ like response? Is this then what our attitude should be? Or should it brake our hearts, knowing that people turn from God, walking head first towards their destruction?
For the person addressed in that FB post prayers have ceased to be helpful. We have to leave his final destiny with our sovereign God. But, friends, before we ever think we have to publish likewise posts on social media or speak them out loud in public or even in private thought. Be aware that the sin of self-righteousness is just a small step away. And if you ever feel the urge, look at Romans 3:9-12
9 What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin. 10 As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one; 11 There is none who understands;There is none who seeks after God. 12 They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one.”
This applies to all, to all the people today on earth. To all those who wait with you before the red traffic light, those you meet in the grocery store, at work, at home. Yes, it applies to you and to me. We all need the same remedy to our sins, we all need the loving embrace of our Lord and the Lord knows that. He knows that in regards to us, as he knew for Thomas.
And how did Thomas respond? “My Lord and my God”
Lord, from the Greek word “Kurios” meaning supreme, master, possessor, controller
And
God, Theos, supreme divinity.
What a change and what a blessing.
And like Jesus came to Thomas, so he comes to you, to me and many others today. Through his word. And as Thomas heard the words in person, we may read them today in John 20:27
27 Do not be unbelieving, but believing.”
Recorded in his own infallible, inerrant and inspired word, so the invitation may go out. Not just to Thomas, but to many, including you and me today.
That you and me alike may be amazed as Thomas was and may respond with: “My Lord and my God”.
If this is your heartfelt response and you understand the significance of Jesus’ suffering, his death and resurrection for your personal needs, then he will be your Kurios as well.
And what does that mean and what are the benefits of that?
Lord’s Day 1 of the Heidelberg Catechism points this out for us in Question and Answer 1:
Historic Creeds and Confessions Question 1
What is thy only comfort in life and death?
The first benefit of belonging to Christ is satisfaction. With His precious blood He has fully satisfied for all my sins, inherited, past, present and future sin. “To satisfy” means “to meet the requirements of”. As sinners we all stand under the wrath and judgement of God, and the only way we can be reconciled to God is if His wrath is satisfied. The price for that is death. When Christ died on the cross, He paid that penalty on behalf of His people and in their place.
The second benefit is deliverance. By nature, we are slaves to the devil. Living in bondage to him.
44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.
By His death and His resurrection Jesus delivered His people, or in other words “He set them free” from this bondage. Transformed them from servants of the devil to servants of Christ.
The third benefit is preservation. “To preserve” means “to keep”. By him or herself the believer would never preserve the faith which God, through His Holy Spirit works in the heart. Our faith is simply too weak, and the enemies are too powerful. But those who belong to Him, them he will hold in the palm of his hand and bring them to glory. John 10:28
28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.
The fourth benefit of belonging to Christ is assurance, guarantee. This is the benefit many believers will struggle with whether all these benefits are really for him or her. These benefits are so wonderful and when we look upon ourselves, we can feel so unworthy. This can easily lead to doubt and despair. Christ knows this and gives therefore His Holy Spirit. By means of His Spirit, Christ assures His people that the benefits really are for him or her. He does this by inwardly assuring them that He is their Saviour.
For instance: Those who have a spouse or are seriously dating can relate to the fact that you cannot simply detach yourself from the other person. He or she is undeniably rooted in the heart. We can’t just walk away from it, like we can from a club membership. With this often comes the knowledge we can’t explain but is there nonetheless: The knowledge that our spouse loves us. The same applies to God. When we have a relation with the Lord, how weak and tender it may be, we will experience that we can’t walk away from it by simple choice. If we do, we will feel the discomfort that comes with that, because we know it would be wrong. The beauty of that reality is that this relationship exists, not because I choose to bind myself to Christ, but because He bound Himself to me. This is one way the Lord uses to assure His children inwardly.
Secondly, He causes the believer to bear fruit so he or she may know they are children of God. Galatians 5:22-24
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Do you notice the first fruit that is mentioned? Love, first towards God, secondly the fellow human being. If that is in place, the believer may experience the desire for the rest that follows. And when there are times of struggle and doubt, the third benefit applies, which was preservation.
Our final benefit is “New life”. A life for the Lord, instead of a life for ourselves. Think about the previous benefit and the fruit of the Spirit. By nature, mankind likes to live for themselves, not for God. But when you belong to Christ, it will bring a desire to live to God’s glory. And yes, there will be failure, there will be sin and as mentioned earlier that often leads to doubt and despair.
But instead of dwelling in sin, look into the mirror. Acknowledge your behaviour and ask yourself the question: “Does my sin bother me? Do I wish to do better?” If you can answer this with yes, then be encouraged and know that it’s God, through His Spirit working with and in you which brings us back to the benefit of preservation.
This was all reality for Thomas in his life, as it is today while he is in glory with his Lord and God for eternity.
Is this your reality as well? May you live today in this comfort and enjoy all the benefits that come with it?
If, again, you may wholeheartedly say yes to this question, then you are blessed beyond imagination. Praise be to God!
But what if you have doubts, if you struggle, if you feel distanced from God?
Then look at Matt 7:7-8
7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
Matthew Henry writes in his commentaries:
Ask! By prayer. Present your fears, your doubts, your joys, yourself. Ask for his guidance, support and supply.
Seek! By prayer and in His Word. Seek as for a treasure you have lost.
Knock! By prayer. Knock, with the desire to be admitted inside. To be welcomed, to be taken into His love and favor and kingdom.
Experience intimacy with Him. Not now and then, but again and again, until He answers, like the widow in Luke 18:1-8 who keeps pleading with the judge until he grants her wish. If that’s how you ask, seek and knock, then God promises that it will be given, you will find, and the door will be opened.
And when that door opens, you will see him with his arms wide open. You will see the wounds in his hands and with Thomas you may profess: “My Lord and my God”.
Amen
