Are We Like Thomas? John 20:19-24

Are we like Thomas? John 20:19-24

Good morning.

Stand with me and lift your bible and repeat after me.

This is my Bible.

I am what it says I am.

I can do what it says I can do.

I am going to learn how to be what it says I can be.

Today I will learn more of the word of God.

The indestructible, never ending, living word Of God.

I will never be the same.

I will never be the same.

In Jesus Name

Amen?

Before you sit down, say good morning to your brothers and sisters.

Here is the question for you today.

Who was Thomas in the Bible?

Thomas was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ.

In the Bible, Thomas was also called Didymus in John 11:16; 20:24, which is the Greek translation of the Hebrew title Thomas, both meaning “twin.”

In the Synoptic Gospels—Matthew, Mark, and Luke—Thomas is mentioned only in the listings of the apostles (Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15). In the Gospel of John, Thomas is one of the main characters in two important stories.

We discover from the story of Thomas that he was sincerely pledged to His master, and yet he fought with uncertainties and questions.

On the day of His resurrection, Jesus appeared to a group of His disciples.

Thomas was not with them for this notable event (John 20:19–24).

After Jesus was with them, the disciples later explained to Thomas what they had witnessed the resurrected Lord, he answered, “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” (John 20:25). With those memorable words, Thomas acquired a nickname that he would be identified by throughout history: Doubting Thomas.

Thomas was a doubter, and he probably was like you, and I are at times during our lives. We pray and pray and wonder if what we are doing works.

Let us go to the Book of John. Turn with me now to John Chapter 20 and say, “Amen” when you are there.

Let’s read together.

Jesus Appears to His Disciples

19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked in fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.

21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

Jesus Appears to Thomas

24 Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 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.”

26 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!” 27 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.”

28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

The Purpose of John’s Gospel

30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Thomas was now sure of who Jesus was and experienced overcoming doubt about his own faith.

As we walk through our life day by day, we have times when we will have doubts about each of the things that occur.

We will have to believe that what is happening will be for a purpose that only God may know at the time they occur.

Our future, whether it is happening the way we want or not, is a constant walk of faith.

But as we are able to get through each day, our doubts start to subside and we walk with more confidence and get stronger so that when the trials and tribulations that occur with our daily lives occur, we can handle them easier.