Confronting the Skeptic

John 20: 1-31

Doubt is natural; but God desires to lift us to the supernatural! Thomas doubted the resurrection until he was confronted with the amazing reality that Jesus was indeed alive!

I. Death Encountered

A. The Reality of Death 20:1-7

B. The Perplexity of Death

II. Delight Experienced

A. The Grave

B. The Greeting

III. Doubt Erased

A. The Encounter with Thomas

B. The Encouragement for the Generations

Introduction

Easter Sunday is always a day of joy and celebration among Christians everywhere. But there are many people who simply do not believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. I want us to look at Jesus' death and resurrection today, and how Jesus confronted a skeptic and brought him to believing faith. We must admit that Christianity stands on the truth and fact of the resurrection. Paul correctly asserted that if Christ is not raised from the dead our faith is in vain. But, Christ is risen indeed! Not only was Jesus raised to life after His death on the cross, but He promises the same experience to all who trust Him as Savior and Lord. Our future and hope is built on the resurrection of Jesus. We need to know in our hearts the truth on this matter and to live in the confidence of God's promise of eternal life.

I. Death was Encountered

Death is something that we don't really want to face. Funeral homes are praised for their ability to make the dead look "natural." We avoid conversation about death as much as possible. When someone dies, we often find it difficult to know exactly what to say to the closest relatives.

The Reality of Death 20:1-7

But, death is a reality. The death of Jesus was real. He died a real death. The followers of Jesus were forced to face the reality of the death of Jesus. Even when He was dying on the cross, they must have held out hope that He would do something - He would reveal His divine nature and defeat His enemies. But, no, Jesus died. When His body was taken from the cross, it was like any other dead body - empty of life. Surely the disciples must have felt hopeless and helpless in the face of this experience. Isn't that how we all feel when someone we love dies? We keep thinking that it just can't be true, but it is true. Death is a reality that cannot be denied.

The Perplexity of Death

Just why are we so perplexed when someone dies? It is almost as if we do not expect those we love to ever die. Jesus told His disciples that He would die, yet they were shocked when it happened. The reason we think it strange when someone dies is because man was not created to die. If we look at Genesis 2:16-17. Satan lied to man. If we look at Genesis 3:1-4. Man believed Satan's word and not God's word and death came upon humanity. Death perplexes us because we were not made to die but to live. Sin brought death upon humanity. Death is an interloper - an intruder!

II. Delight Experienced

How can we ever understand the joy of those women who came and found that Jesus was alive. They went from tears to triumph in a matter of moments. There is no way they could have concocted a story that Jesus had risen. They were too crushed in heart and spirit to do that. They were living with the reality of death when they were confronted with the delight of life!

The Grave

They went to the tomb and found the stone moved. They discovered the grave clothes of Jesus lying there like a shell out of which the body had been extracted. Miracle of miracles, He was indeed alive. They knew in short order that no one could have robbed his body and taken it out of the wrapped clothes without disturbing them at all. The grave which held such foreboding, such feeling that something bad is going to happen a few moments before suddenly became a place of worship. That is why to this day many Christians all over the world meet at sunrise on Easter Sunday. What a place for a celebration - only Christians do this! Only Christian CAN do this.

The Greeting

More important than the empty grave is the personal greeting which Jesus gave His disciples. What a moment it was when Jesus came to meet with His disciples following His resurrection. How can we ever imagine their joy! Remember how I began this message. I talked about the sorrow of the disciples. I pointed out that we could not possibly know how confused, sad and disappointed they were at the death of Jesus. But, now, we come to consider how glad they were at His resurrection. This is something we cannot fully appreciate either - but one day we will. One day He shall greet us, our living King of Kings.

III. Doubt Erased

Even in the midst of this time of joy, there was one who doubted. His name was Thomas. He heard that Mary had seen Jesus. He heard that the disciples had seen Jesus. But, it was just too much for Him to accept.

The Encounter with Thomas

One week after the resurrection, the disciples were together and Thomas was with them when Jesus appeared to them again. Thomas had said that he would not believe unless he could see the nail prints in his hands. In fact, he said he would not believe unless he could PUT HIS HAND upon the nail prints and feel them and into the scar on His side and feel that as well. Jesus appeared and asked Thomas to touch the nail prints and invited him to touch His side. Thomas was overcome. He fell down on his face and cried out, "My Lord and My God." For Thomas doubt was defeated. The skeptic's arguments were slain by the presence of the Savior. Thomas did not need to touch Jesus. It was the awareness that the risen Savior was in the room. Jesus was there. Jesus! The same Jesus that had died on Friday was now alive. All Thomas could do was fall down and exclaim, "My Lord and My God."

The Encouragement for the Generations

Jesus pointed out that others beyond Thomas would believe even though they would not have the privilege of seeing the nail prints in His hands. They would overcome doubt though FAITH. We overcome doubt through faith. How did the devil initiate death to begin with? He did it by getting people to disbelieve God's Word about death. Do you know how the devil can keep you from eternal life today? He will defeat you if he can get you to doubt God's Word about life! Interesting, isn't it? It comes right down to where it all started - do you believe God's Word? Jesus told Thomas that all who would believe in Him, in his resurrection as Lord and Savior, would be blessed. Indeed! All who believe in Him are blessed with life -the overcoming of death!

Jesus is alive - nothing is the same ever again. Death will never be the same to those who have trusted Him. When a person believes in the risen Christ, the risen Christ reveals that He is alive. He is in the room today. He promised to be where two or more would meet in His name. It is amazing but true, that the moment you have faith to believe in the risen, living Savior, He becomes more real to you than life itself. Now lets admit something as we close this Easter message. Thomas asked to see the nail prints of Jesus. He wanted to know that what the other disciples had told him was really true. Was Thomas wrong for this?

Certainly he was not wrong. The others had seen the risen Christ. They, too, might not have believed had they not seen Jesus after His resurrection. Jesus did not turn His back on Thomas even though Thomas had some doubts. Thomas did not turn his back on Jesus due to doubts about the resurrection. Thomas was there one week later when Jesus appeared. If Jesus had been upset with Thomas, He would not have come to Him. If Thomas had been a complete doubter, he would not have remained with the disciples. Thomas had enough faith to stick around and see if the story was true. Jesus had enough love for Thomas to reveal Himself to him.

Thomas believed and he was gloriously saved!

Maybe someone here today has had some doubts. God hasn't given up on you. And, you are here - that tells me that you have not given up on God. Thomas and Jesus got together and the miracle of faith happened. Why don't you do that today? Turn to Christ and express your faith. You will discover that Jesus keeps His word. Everyone who believes on Him even when they have not seen everything will be blessed - now and in eternity.

For those of us who have already believed and have been blessed with eternal life, let us rejoice as we approach this coming Easter Sunday; and, let us recommit ourselves to live for the One who has conquerored sin, death and hell for us.

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