Be With Me: 7 Minutes of Biblical Wonder
Be With Me is a daily 7 minute chronological walk through the New Testament hosted by Michael Smith. It is for everyone who is curious about what Jesus actually said and did in the gospels. Most episodes will leave you with at least one good thought to chew on for the rest of the day. We start with the Bible and hopefully end with Awe. We are walking through the chronological events of Jesus' life and then thoughtfully considering them. It is meant to spur the devotional life of the Christian and the not-yet-Christian. We occasionally venture into the Old Testament when it helps our understanding of the New Testament events. Everybody has 7 minutes. Everybody needs to wonder. Be With Me is hosted by Michael Smith who has absolutely no special qualifications to do a podcast. He is not a pastor. He has not been to seminary. He does not lead a mega-church. He is not a professional and he has no more credentials than you do. He does, however, follow a great God with an observant eye and a curious heart. Each day, he starts with a study bible and aims for astonishment. ‘be with him’ for 7 minutes as he sets out daily to discover the God who invites us to ‘Be With Me.’
Be With Me: 7 Minutes of Biblical Wonder
Unless ________..., I will never believe S28e171 Jn20:24
So called "doubting Thomas" gets a pass from Christian history. He does way more than doubt. We find him resisting human leadership. Resisting fellowship. Resisting many counselors. Ignoring the years spent. The teaching. The miracles. Frankly: Resisting Jesus. Yikes.
Who else does this sound like? It sounds like JUDAS. Perhaps it will turn out just as bad? Subscribe to find out.
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Unless ________..., I will never believe S28e171 Jn20:24
Welcome to the story of stubborn Thomas, “doubting Thomas. “
You have perhaps heard the phrase, being a doubting Thomas. He defines the phrase, Let’s really see what happen. I’m not so sure we should be so charitable towards his position. T. demonstrates MORE THAN DOUBT.
Did Thomas doubt CURIOUSLY, with an open mind and open hand?
Fair doubting, sincere doubting? Really open to reconsider his position
Jn 20 24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, 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,
STOP HERE. Not going to tell you how this works out. Jesus has every right to NAIL him. Kick him out of the disciple-club. Jesus has already gone to the nth degree to help him. I am mad at Thomas. I am worried about you.and me. Let’s look at him CAREFULLY
He has been exposed to accountable knowledge.He is one of the 12.
Knew a lot. Experieced a. lot. 100% of miracles. Etc.
Maybe you think, “if I could just be with you Jesus for 5 minutes” it would change everything.
This denotes ACCESS, Familiarity, breadth of experience, exposure
Includes all the known prophecies that came true
Includes the forecast that I MUST go to Jerusalem be to suffer, be crucified, die and be raised on the third day
Luke 12:48 Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.
JAMES 3:13 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.
There could be stricter judgment for the disciples and those given greater access to truths.
He has a nickname.
THE TWIN. Known well enough to have a designation of knowledge, or a term of endearment.
This denotes INTIMACY
He exhibited or chose NON-FELLOWSHIP. possibly
Jesus just told them: go to Galilee (together) I will meet you there
Where was Thomas? Was he out on a legitimate errand?
I’d have sent them by twos or threes
Was he just AWOL?
Jesus said he was coming. Was he READY? Waiting, ANTICIPATING?
Does this locational foible indicate obedience?
Does this indicate playing fast and loose with good spiritual habits?
He refuses the counsel of the many, 10 disciples seen, Mary and 6 other women, 2 emmaus walkers, 4 guards. 20 peopleTell him their storyx 8 days.
Proverbs 24:6 in abundance of counselors there is victory.
He refuses the counsel of the few
demonstrated leadership Peter, James, John possibly identified as the leaders; first among equals; transfiguation
He demonstrates DURABLE-Never-belief
He is stuck in his position over time. He refuses over time..
His never-believe position is DURABLE-Never-belief
He demonstrates Bitterness. Or WEARINESS. In John 11, as Jesus was announcing His decision to go to Jerusalem, in light of everybody trying to stone him and increasing physical risk: 16 So Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”
WHO DOES THIS SOUND LIKE?
More than doubt. Resisting human leadership. Resisting fellowship. Resisting many counselors. Ignoring the years spent. The teaching. The miracles. Frankly: ResistingJesus.
This sounds to me like JUDAS. Thomas is a pre-Judas
This sounds like Thomas is one step away from thinking and doing exactly what Judas did.
Warnings cautions red flags of Thomas
“doubting”—more than that: it is durable unbelief
It resists leadership
It resists the protection of many counselors
It resists Fellowship of the body possibly
It forgets the previous intimacy offered by Jesus, common graces
It risks the harsher judgement of an increased access
You have to come back tomorrow and see how this works out.
Why is this here? Of all the stories. Thomas does WAAAY more than doubt
Big point: don’t be like this for sure. Ultimately NOT ABOUT THOMAS. Hint: it is about US ultimately. Wait for His grace tomorrow.