Thomas

Introduction: Examining Thomas gives us the opportunity to spend a couple of minutes discussing a new fad in our culture.

“Deconstruction” is the heading most recently applied to the process of questioning, doubting, and ultimately rejecting aspects of Christian faith. This is an application of deconstructionism, an approach that claims to disassemble beliefs or ideas while assuming their meanings are inherently subjective. In practice, though, “deconstruction” almost always acts as a polite cover for “demolition.” Modern “deconstruction” usually means replacing uncomfortable tenets with culturally or personally popular ideas.

The Original Deconstructionist (v. 24, 25)

The Man: Thomas

We know very little about him.

In the other Gospels he appears only when a list of the disciples is given.

He appears in John a handful of times

John 11: 8-16 “The disciples said to Him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone You, and are You going there again?” Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. “But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” This He said, and after that He said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I go, so that I may awaken him out of sleep.” The disciples then said to Him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.” Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that He was speaking of literal sleep. So Jesus then said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, and I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe; but let us go to him.” Therefore Thomas, who is called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, so that we may die with Him.””

John 14:1-6 ““Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. “And you know the way where I am going.” Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”

What we learn of Thomas was that he was dedicated to Jesus, but like the rest of the disciples he was prior to the resurrection mostly ignorant.

His Absence (v. 24)

We do not know why Thomas was not with them at the time of Jesus’ first appearing.

It seems to be a strategic absence on God’s part in that it provided for this opportunity for Jesus to reveal Himself yet again in a tangible way.

His Unbelief (v. 25)

The witness of the other ten disciples - what they say

The excitement of the other ten disciples - how they say it

The obstinance of Thomas

His requirements

Touch the scars on His hands

Touch the scars on His side

His declaration:

I will not believe

His faith had been deconstructed. Piece by piece his faith had been taken apart primarily by the death of Jesus.

Application

Thomas is not the only person in history whose faith has failed because of a traumatic event.

We often call Thomas “doubting Thomas” which is probably unfair given that all the disciples had their doubts.

A few words on doubt

The presence of doubt does not mean you are unsaved.

Is it a sin to doubt your salvation?

Not always, if you are doubting yourself that is not a sin.

If you are doubting God’s ability or desire to save you that is a sin.

It is healthy to biblically question what you believe.

The Only Re-constructionist (v. 26-31)

His Appearance(v. 26)

Eight days later probably includes the Sunday of the resurrection thus eight days later means that we are looking in on the disciples once again on a Sunday.

It seems that John is also implying that the disciples are at least somewhat afraid of the Jewish authorities hiding behind shut doors.

Just like before where did He come from?

I believe this to be a miraculous event.

That shows the power Jesus possess in Himself as displayed after the resurrection.

“Peace be with you.” This is the third time John records these specific words of Jesus, and as we said last week they are much more than just a typical greeting for Jesus is the only way to genuinely know peace.

His Project (v. 27-31) - to rebuild the faith of Thomas

Meeting Thomas in his need (v.27)

Just as we saw last week with the other ten disciples Jesus meets Thomas in His need.

This means that Jesus came prepared with the proper tools and materials to rebuild the faith of Thomas.

Thomas made a demand and Jesus, even though Thomas was in no position to make such a demand, gave Thomas exactly what he asked for and what the other disciples had already experienced.

But in doing so He also charges Thomas to “be not faithless but believing.”

Somehow Jesus knew exactly what Thomas had said to the other disciples.

This reminds us that there are no prerequisites to salvation. No matter who you are or where you are Jesus will meet you in your need. Your problem is sin and Jesus alone has the solution.

The Response of Thomas (v. 28)

It is my suggestion that Thomas responds with the only right response that we humans are capable of.

Thomas declared that Jesus was related to him to two ways:

My Lord

His Master

A title of authority and respect

My God

Thomas got it.

Jesus was and is more than just a man. He is God.

It seems that from this point on perhaps because of Thomas’ words the disciples use the term “Lord” also as a statement of deity.

The Response of Jesus (v. 29)

Jesus knew that most of His disciples would not get the opportunity that Thomas and the other disciples did here.

Jesus is not rebuking Thomas so much as using this circumstance to pronounce a blessing on all those future disciples who would believe long after his ascension.

Earlier in this Gospel we have the privilege of reading a prayer that Jesus said quite literally for you and me. Here we have the privilege of reading and studying a blessing made specifically for us as well.

When Jesus pronounces a blessing it is not just a vague desire for the happiness of the individual, but a declaration of God’s acceptance.

A Word from John (v. 30, 31)

This is why I wrote

Believe!