What Jesus Did : John 20:24-25 - Someone to Doubt for Us?
by Phil Ware
Someone to Doubt for Us? - John 20:24-25
Thomas (called Didymus) was not with the followers when Jesus came. Thomas was one of the twelve. The other followers told Thomas, "We saw the Lord." Thomas said, "I will not believe it until I see the nail holes in his hands. And I will not believe until I put my finger where the nails were and put my hand into his side." (ERV) Full TextKey Thought
Some churches don't want you to ask honest questions. That's sad, I think. For most us, after we are Christians awhile, we kind of get trained to know which questions to ask and which ones to let go. That's where new Christians can be so refreshing. They ask bold and honest questions. They're not afraid to seek for the Lord and find his answers. Thomas is our designated doubter. His doubts and questions enable our doubts to be expressed and to receive an answer from the Lord himself. Let's be careful not to squash honest and seeking questions. Of course our goal isn't the question, but an authentic faith in the Lord who is the answer to our questions!
Today's Prayer
Father, stir my heart to continue to seek after you. I want to know more about you and I also want to be more aware of your presence in my life. I want my character to be more completely conformed to your will. So please know that my doubts and questions are my seeking you and not some random tidbit of knowledge. Give me the Spirit of revelation to know you more completely so that I might be transformed by your will rather than being conformed to the culture around me. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Today's Verses in Context
The day was Sunday. That same evening the followers were together. The doors were locked, because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Then Jesus came and stood among them. Jesus said, "Peace be with you!" After Jesus said this, he showed the followers his hands and his side. The followers were very happy when they saw the Lord. Then Jesus said again, "Peace be with you! The Father sent me. In the same way, I now send you." After Jesus said that, he breathed {on the followers}. Jesus said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive people's sins, then their sins are forgiven. If you don't forgive people's sins, then their sins are not forgiven." Thomas (called Didymus) was not with the followers when Jesus came. Thomas was one of the twelve. The other followers told Thomas, "We saw the Lord." Thomas said, "I will not believe it until I see the nail holes in his hands. And I will not believe until I put my finger where the nails were and put my hand into his side." A week later the followers were in the house again. Thomas was with them. The doors were locked, but Jesus came and stood among them. Jesus said, "Peace be with you!" Then Jesus said to Thomas, "Put your finger here. Look at my hands. Put your hand here in my side. Stop doubting and start believing." Thomas said to Jesus, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to Thomas, "You believe because you see me. Those people that believe without seeing me will be truly blessed." Jesus did many other miracles that his followers saw. Those miracles are not written in this book. But these things are written so that you can believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. Then, by believing, you can have life through his name.-- John 20:19-31 (ERV)
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