Daily Dose of the Word of God - John 20: 24-29

Jason Turner, Director of Congregational Engagement

Transcript

Jason Turner  0:06  

Welcome to Elmhurst CRC’s Daily Dose of the Word of God. This is Jason Turner. It’s Wednesday, April 8th. Today’s reading is from John 20:24-29. It is the Season of Easter and we are Living it Forward!

Jason Turner  0:26  

Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came.  So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Jason Turner 1:31  

We are now learning about the post-resurrection appearances of Jesus. This Bible story highlighting doubting Thomas, is one of the most well-known ones. This passage teaches us that Thomas, one of the 12 disciples, was outside Christian community and not with the other disciples when Jesus first appeared to them. I’ve asked myself over the years: where was Thomas when Jesus paid a post- esurrection visit to his disciples? The Bible doesn’t specify a location. Thomas was absent for eight days until His famous encounter with Jesus. We can only wonder. Was he in a deep state of grief and mourning, fearing for his safety? Or just separated from his band of brothers?  Either way, Thomas needed proof that Jesus was risen and back from the dead. Even after his good friends said that they have seen the Risen Lord. Death is so final and we can feel scared and helpless sometimes. All of us have acted like a doubting Thomas at some point in our lives and it's understandable that Thomas wanted proof. There are times where we wanted proof. We wanted to bargain with Jesus with our circumstance. "If you do this for me, then I’ll believe." We wanted to see first, instead of holding onto faith and the promises of God. We subscribed to the thought, "seeing is believing." Jesus showed up again through locked doors, offering a powerful resurrected peace offering. Thankfully, Thomas was present in community this time. In a moment where Jesus could have rebuked Thomas, our gracious Savior met Thomas right where he was at -- in the middle of his doubt, skepticism, and lack of faith. Thomas touched Jesus’ nail-scarred hands and felt his pierced side with his hand. Thomas became a recovering skeptic who believed, all because of the power and plan of the Jesus Christ. Thanks be to Almighty God!

Jason Turner  4:09  

Let's pray. Jesus, help our unbelief. Help us meet a hurting and skeptical world right where they are. Tt's all because of you that we get second chances, that we're alive and will spend in eternity with you. Remind us of what you said. Blesseded are those who have not seen and yet have believed. Amen and have a great day.