Eight Days Later

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.”

AIM

To teach listeners how Jesus is willing to help us deal with the problem of unbelief and lead the lost to accept the risen Savior into their hearts.

INTRODUCTION

Most of us have heard the name Thomas associated with the word doubt. He has carried the label "Doubting Thomas" for generations. However, Thomas had a problem that was greater than doubt. Jesus referred to him as an unbeliever, but was willing to work with him and help to overcome his problem and become a believer in His resurrection.

Thomas is not the only disciple who has struggled with the problem of unbelief. There is little doubt that this same problem exists in our generation. Many have become Church members and are very active, yet have never accepted the resurrected Jesus as their personal Savior. Let's take a moment and see how Thomas was able to overcome his unbelief in the resurrection of Jesus.

THE ABSENCE OF THOMAS

John 20:24 ESV

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

John 20:24

We met Thomas a little earlier in John's Gospel account. We first met him when Jesus was getting ready to raise Lazarus from the dead (11:16). We see him again when Jesus was teaching His disciples about His crucifixion and coming again (14:1-6). Thomas was not with the other disciples when Jesus appeared unto them on the day of His resurrection. John notes the absence of Thomas but does not explain the reason for his absence.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Twenty-Three: The Power of His Resurrection (John 20:19–31)

Thomas is a good warning to all of us not to miss meeting with God’s people on the Lord’s Day (Heb. 10:22–25). Because Thomas was not there, he missed seeing Jesus Christ, hearing His words of peace, and receiving His commission and gift of spiritual life. He had to endure a week of fear and unbelief when he could have been experiencing joy and peace! Remember Thomas when you are tempted to stay home from church. You never know what special blessing you might miss!

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.”

John 20:25 ESV

The disciples shared and kept on sharing their experience of seeing Jesus with Thomas who refused to believe unless he had the same evidence as the disciples who were present. Theologians teach us the language suggests Thomas was fed up with their nonsense and wanted to hear no more about their ridiculous notion of a resurrection. Then he stated his condition for believing Jesus had resurrected from the dead. Kenneth Gangel wrote, “Sincere Christianity has always welcomed sincere research.”

Sincere Christianity has always welcomed sincere research.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Twenty-Three: The Power of His Resurrection (John 20:19–31)

Thomas’ words help us to understand the difference between doubt and unbelief. Doubt says, “I cannot believe! There are too many problems!” Unbelief says, “I will not believe unless you give me the evidence I ask for!” In fact, in the Greek text, there is a double negative: “I positively will not believe!”

Kenneth O. Gangel, John, vol. 4, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000), 373.

We can only imagine what state of mind that Thomas was in during the week that followed. Thomas has been chastened by many and, rightly so, have labeled him a doubter. Theologians help us to understand the demands of Thomas meant he would not believe and never expected to see Jesus alive.

The disciples shared their experience of seeing Jesus with Thomas. Thomas stated his condition for believing Jesus was alive from the dead. Some have chastened Thomas and labeled him a doubter. Thomas requested the same evidence that the other disciples had. We can only imagine what state of mind that Thomas was in during the week that followed.

Thomas represents a mass of people who prefer to walk by sight rather than faith. There are many whose belief in Jesus is based on outward signs and wonders.

THE APPEARANCE TO THOMAS

THE BLESSING

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 20:26 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

Eight days later Jesus entered the same room with the same greeting. Thomas was present at this meeting. It is wise to notice Thomas was not rebuked by Jesus for not being present with the other disciples when Jesus appeared to them for the first time. Jesus was establishing Sunday, the Lord's day, as a day of worship.

Eight days later Jesus entered the same room with the same greeting. Thomas was present at this meeting. Jesus was establishing Sunday, the Lord's day, as a day of worship.

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.”

John 20:27 ESV

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.”

Did someone report the words of Thomas to Jesus? Being God, He knew every word that had been spoken along with the conditions Thomas required. Jesus spoke directly to Thomas and challenged him to touch His hands and His side. Thomas was never rebuked for his doubts, but he was rebuked for his unbelief. Jesus encouraged Thomas to believe that He was alive.

THE AFFIRMATION OF THOMAS

28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”

John 20:28 ESV

28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”

There is no evidence that Thomas accepted the challenge of Jesus. Apparently sight was enough evidence to settle any doubts that Thomas had. Thomas affirmed that Jesus was his Lord and his God. There appears to have been a solemn hush just before the moment of truth. Thomas made the greatest confession of all the disciples.

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

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.”

Jesus pronounced a blessing on those who are able to believe on Jesus without seeing Him. It was necessary for Thomas to see Jesus alive so that he could be a witness to His resurrection. Thomas could not say, "I think," "I suppose," or "I was told;" he had to be able to say, "I know from personal experience." When Jesus pronounced this blessing He was looking down through the ages of time and seeing the great hosts who would believe on Him having never seen Him. We have the written Word which gives us all of the evidence that we need.

APPLICATION

Thomas ought to be a reminder that unbelief robs us of many blessings and opportunities. The Lord was gracious to meet Thomas at his level of experience in order to lift him where he needed to be. It is an encouragement for us to know that Jesus had a personal interest and concern for the unbelief of Thomas and wanted to strengthen his faith and include him in the blessing that lay in store for His followers.

Are you struggling with the problem of unbelief? Has the Holy Spirit convinced you that you need to accept Jesus into your heart? If so, why don't you come forward and share your experience with us during this invitation.