Thomas My Favorite Disciple
Notes
Transcript
John 20:24-28
John 20:24-28
Now Thomas, one of the twelve, who was called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will never believe!” And after eight days his disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Although the doors had been shut, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said, “Peace to you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Place your finger here and see my hands, and place your hand and put it into my side. And do not be unbelieving, but believing!” Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
This right here is why Thomas is my personal favorite Disciple. We call him Doubting Thomas. But To me he is a hero. A Hero because he ask the hard question.
He is honest Unless I see I will never Believe.
I think we sometimes think that we are suppose to be blind faith. But that isn’t what the bible actually teaches.
Now faith is the realization of what is hoped for, the proof of things not seen. For by this the people of old were approved. By faith we understand the worlds were created by the word of God, in order that what is seen did not come into existence from what is visible.
Is often the verse used to support the idea of a blind faith. The Idea behind this verse is that we can’t see his hands and put our finger in the mark of the nails.
So we have have faith the realization of what is hoped for, proof of things not seen.
But this isn’t a blind faith. Blind faith is you close your eyes and say “whatever.” Many of us came to christ before we could really rationalize our thoughts about Christ. We know he is the truth.
But Why
I know I can tell you about my experience coming to Christ. Where I knew he was talking to me and I was talking to Him.
But for many that is like Thomas listening to the other disciples. I just can’t deal with it. I need more.
Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen me, have you believed? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”
Jesus almost sounds like he is saying those who believe without evidence are even more blessed than you
but for the next verse
Now Jesus also performed many other signs in the presence of the disciples which are not recorded in this book, but these things are recorded in order that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Jesus says blessed are those who believe with out seeing not because of blind faith but because of evidence. Other wise he would have no need to perform further signs and wonders that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ.
Jesus prays in John 17
“And I do not ask on behalf of these only, but also on behalf of those who believe in me through their word, that they all may be one, just as you, Father, are in me and I am in you, that they also may be in us, in order that the world may believe that you sent me.
Jesus was talking about those who don’t get to see the evidence of our own eyes but the testimony of others. the disciples.
Forensic Faith: A Homicide Detective Makes the Case for a More Reasonable, Evidential Christian Faith 5 Evidential Examples to Help You Embrace Your Calling as a Christian Case Maker
In this prayer, Jesus was talking about all the people (like you and me) who believe in Jesus not because of the evidence we saw with our own eyes but because of the testimony (direct evidence) offered by the disciples (“their word”). Yes, Thomas was blessed to believe based on what he saw, but we are also blessed because we believe based on what he (and the authors of the Gospels) reported as eyewitnesses. That’s why Jesus continued to perform “many other signs” in front of His disciples. He wanted them to have a lot to talk about. Jesus is our example. He repeatedly used evidence to make His case, even when His point was simply to encourage someone in a time of doubt.
This week I want you to think about one area of you walk with God that has caused you to question. Example Did Jesus exist? How do I know he isn’t just a Prophet? Can I trust the Bible? ETC.
Work through your question. Can you help someone else over come.
Email, laughlincommunitychurch@gmail.com, me your thoughts, Questions, and Ideas. I can’t guarantee I will answer them all but I will read them and Help as I can, but I am just a resource. Do your own homework lets see what you come up with. You are capable of more than you think you are. I look Forward to hearing from you
Bibliography
Bibliography
Wallace, James. Forensic Faith: A Homicide Detective Makes the Case for a More Reasonable, Evidential Christian Faith. Colorado Springs, CO: David C Cook, 2017.