December 29, 2010

SEEING IS BELIEVING

John 20:19-31

Chris Unger
Wednesday's Devo

December 29, 2010

Wednesday's Devo

December 29, 2010

Central Truth

Christ is sufficient to address fully our honest doubts. We who believe without seeing are blessed.

Key Verse | John 20:25

So the other disciples were saying to him, 'We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe." (John 20:25)

John 20:19-31

Jesus Appears to the Disciples

19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, 1 20:19 Greek Ioudaioi probably refers here to Jewish religious leaders, and others under their influence, in that time Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”

Jesus and Thomas

24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, 2 20:24 Greek Didymus 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.”

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.” 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.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

The Purpose of This Book

30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Footnotes

[1] 20:19 Greek Ioudaioi probably refers here to Jewish religious leaders, and others under their influence, in that time
[2] 20:24 Greek Didymus

Dive Deeper | John 20:19-31

Much of my life, I've wanted to compare myself to others and have often found myself frustrated with God when I didn't think life was fair. Unfortunately, this led to my relationship with Christ being conditional at times. "If you want me to tithe, I need to earn more." "If I need to love others, they need to stop being jerks." 

I see that in Thomas' statement: "Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails . . . and put my hand into his side, I will not believe."  Thomas simply could not believe based only on the testimony of others. His faith was not strong enough. I can really relate to Thomas.

Thomas expressed his doubts among his fellow believers. For me, living in community has been a huge part of my Christian growth. It's an extreme blessing to have brothers in Christ with whom I can share my doubts and what's really on my heart. While I would love to share that everything is sunshine and roses, many times that is not the case. Whether it's stress with money or a battle with bitterness and forgiveness, confession is always extremely freeing. Our group would lose authenticity and spiritual growth if we did not have the openness of Thomas.

The crazy part of this passage is that Jesus showed up! He appeared through shut doors with a message of peace. Jesus knew Thomas' doubts and addressed them. It's awesome how quickly Thomas then confessed his faith: "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:28) In our lives Christ knows where we are and meets us right there.

The second part of Jesus' message was one of challenge: "Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed." (John 20:29b) Thomas was forgiven for having weak faith, but there was firmness as well. Jesus loves us where we are, but He does not want us to stay there.

Just like Thomas, many times our journeys of faith start with confession among community.

Discussion Questions

1. Are there any doubts or frustrations that you need to share with your community of believers?

2. What are your experiences with Christ in which you have felt His presence and could share with others to encourage them?  

3. Has God put a "doubting Thomas" in your life whom you can encourage and spur on?

FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Doubt is having trouble believing something is true. What did Thomas doubt (verse 25)?

2. How did Jesus help Thomas in his doubt (verse 27)?

3. Have you ever doubted things about God?

4. What were some of your doubts?

5. Who can you talk to when you have doubts?