Readings:
• John chapter 11 verses 6-16
• John chapter 14 verses 1-6
• John chapter 20 verses 24-29
Ill:
• Some people are household names:
• You know who they are, and what they do or are famous for.
• Pele - Football
• Pavoroti - Singer
• Dickens - Literature
• Picasso - Painting & Art.
• Morcombe & Wise - Comedians.
• Einstein - Science.
WHAT IS TRUE IN THE SECULAR WORLD IS MIRRORED IN THE BIBLE:
Some people are linked to things:
• Samson & Haircuts.
• Joseph & his coat.
• Jonah & Fish.
• Eve & Apple(!).
• Noah & ark.
• Gideon & Fleece.
Some people are linked to occupations:
• Peter: Fisherman,
• Rahab: Harlot,
• Zacceus: Tax Collector.
• Luke: Doctor.
Some people are linked to particular deeds:
• John the baptiser.
• Judas the betrayer.
• John the beloved;
• Peter the rock & Stephen the Martyr.
Our character study tonight:
• Involves a man who throughout Church history;
• Has had attached to him an unfortunate nick-name – ‘Doubting Thomas’.
• The New Testament gives him several names:
• He is called ‘Thomas the Apostle’, also called ‘Judas Thomas’,
• Or ‘Didymus’ which means ‘Twin’,
• But perhaps he is better known as ‘Doubting Thomas’.
When it comes to the subject of doubt:
• Opinions among Christians vary greatly.
• To some, doubt represents rank unbelief!
• Others, though, argue that it is essential to any intelligent pursuit of the truth.
• Quote: “There lives more faith in honest doubt, than in all the creeds.
Ill:
• Pick up any Christian book of quotes,
• And you will find the great men & women of God split as to their opinion.
• Personally, I don’t believe that we must choose sides,
• When it comes to the problem of doubt:
• I believe it is possible for both faith and doubt to coexist.
• Quote: "Doubts are the grappling hooks by which the mountains of truth can be scaled”.
Question: What do we mean by doubt?
Answer:
• Doubt is different to unbelief
• “Unbelief is when we know what is right, but refuse to obey and trust.”
Ill:
• Naaman – General of the Syrian army (2 Kings chapter 5 verse 12):
• Told by the prophet of God to wash in the river Jordan seven times – but he refused;
Saying; “the rivers of Damascus, better than any of the waters of Israel?
Couldn’t I wash in them and be cleansed?" So he turned and went off in a rage”.
“Unbelief is when God says something to us, but we refuse to do it.”
• That is wrong and ‘unbelief’ in the Bible is a sin.
• Because it is disobeying God.
Doubt is very different to unbelief
• Quote: “Doubt is when you want to believe but you are not sure you are able to.”
• And I do not believe that is a sin
• ‘Doubt’ is not being sure of the truth – and uncertain with your trust.
• Ill: Man in Mark chapter 9 verse 24: “I believe help me over-come my unbelief!”
I think that the doubt that Thomas expressed well in this quote.
"His doubt had a purpose. Thomas wanted to know the truth, his doubt gives evidence not of a lack of faith, but of a desire to have faith founded in fact not fancy."
Note:
• Doubt often comes to us when we reach the limits of our understanding.
• When we cannot with our inadequate minds figure things out.
• Or when we encounter a sudden, unexpected calamity.
• When life takes us through twists and turns that make absolutely no sense.
• Or when we pray for a certain thing and the exact opposite occurs.
• Or when we obey and do what is right and suffer miserably for it.
• Or when we take a course at school or college;
• That seems to make more sense than the faith we have been raised in.
• Or when someone we respected and look up to;
• Suddenly denies the faith and walks away.
• These are the kinds of circumstances that often raise unsettling questions.
• And cause us to doubt God.
When Jesus selected his disciples:
• He included one man whose name has become a synonym for doubt:
• Thomas – remember Thomas was not a mistake,
• He was chosen as a man of certain qualities!
• Jesus hand picked this man called Thomas,
• He called him for a high calling i.e. apostle and Thomas would in time fulfil that calling!
• More commonly known as ‘doubting Thomas’.
• And he has had many a twin since!
In the gospel of John, Thomas is mentioned in three times occasions:
• In fact, John is the only gospel that makes any mention of him;
• Beyond being recorded in the list of disciples.
The 1st mention we find is in John chapter 11.
7Then he said to his disciples, "Let us go back to Judea."
8"But Rabbi," they said, "a short while ago the Jews tried to stone you, and yet you are going back there?"
9Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours of daylight? A man who walks by day will not stumble, for he sees by this world’s light. 10It is when he walks by night that he stumbles, for he has no light."
11After he had said this, he went on to tell them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up."
12His disciples replied, "Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better." 13Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep.
14So then he told them plainly, "Lazarus is dead, 15and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him."
16Then Thomas (called Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with him."
The context of these verses are:
• An urgent domestic crisis is taking place at the home of Mary & Martha at Bethany.
• Lazarus is seriously ill and his sisters want Jesus to immediately go to Bethany,
• So being close friends with Mary, Martha & Lazarus
• Jesus announced in verse 7 to His disciples that he wanted to “Go back to Judea".
• The Twelve knew this trip would be unsafe:
• They knew that they had recently faced danger in that area,
• And so they were very apprehensive about returning.
• And so they tried to dissuade Him from going back.
Quote: John chapter 11 verse 8 they reply:
“But Rabbi," they said “a short while ago the Jews tried to stone you,
and yet you are going back there?"
• Roughly translated, the disciples were saying;
• "Lord, are you crazy? That’s asking to be killed!"
• At that moment the disciples might easily have refused to follow Jesus.
• Who wants to go on a suicide mission, when there is no good reason to die?
Note: Thomas statement in verse 16:
• “Let’s go, too - and die with Jesus.”
• This was actually a very brave and courageous statement.
• In that he had understood that if he went to this area with Jesus.
• Then he probably would not be coming back!
• He was aware of the danger that lied ahead;
• And he knew that going could very well mean the end of his life.
• Notice: He was willing to follow Jesus in this case even if it meant death.
• So next time you say ‘doubting’ Thomas, think also ‘courageous’ Thomas!
Ill:
• Thomas took seriously the teaching of Jesus;
• e.g. Mark chapter 8 verse 34-35:
"If anyone would come after me; he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
For whoever wants to save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it”.
In this situation:
• Thomas was the one disciple who was putting into action the teachings of Jesus.
• He was willing to follow his master even if it meant death.
• He truly wanted to do the will of God and if this meant death;
• Then that was the price he was willing to pay!
• Thomas could only see disaster - but he was for going on.
• Thomas was determined to be faithful - even in the face of death!!
• For Thomas there may be death,
• But there could never be disloyalty.
The 2nd mention of Thomas is in John chapter 14.
1"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.
2In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you.
I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
4You know the way to the place where I am going."
5Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don’t know where you are going,
so how can we know the way?"
6Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."
• First impressions when you look at Thomas in this passage is that he was a thinker.
• He never took information second hand information - he always wanted the facts.
• Ill; Frank Grimes “Be like the Bereans.”
• (In other words don’t be a parrot – get your truth first hand!)
ILL;
• I get the impression that Thomas;
• Would never sign an insurance policy without reading the small print
• If things did not make sense to him,
• Thomas had the courage to question:
• He had the courage to raise his hand and say,
• "Hold on, I don’t understand. This does not make sense to me. "
The question Thomas asks in this passage:
• Comes from a honest and passionate seeker of truth;
• That is why there is no rebuke from Jesus for lack of faith!
• Thomas listened to what Jesus said and responded accordingly:
• "I don’t know the way you are on about, but I sure do want to follow. Tell me how".
• I am sure the same question was smouldering on the minds of the other disciples;
• But they were too afraid or dumb too speak up.
• Only Thomas had the courage to question and say "Lord we don’t know!"
• He could have sat there quietly with the rest of the disciples,
• But to Thomas that would have been wrong,
• It would have gone totally against his nature to pretend he understood when he didn’t.
• The others could remain in ignorance, but Thomas wanted to find out!
Ill:
• A friend once asked Isidor I. Rabi,
• A Nobel prize winner in science, how he became a scientist.
• Isidor replied that every day after school;
• His mother would talk to him about his school day.
• She wasn’t so much interested in what he had learned that day,
• But she always inquired, “Did you ask a good question today?”
• “Asking good questions,” Isidor said,
• “Made me become a scientist.”
Thomas knew how to ask a good, honest question:
• And out of this honest, searching question;
• Comes one of the most best known statements in Christianity;
• "I am the way and the truth and the life."
• You can call him ‘doubting’ if you like;
• But I think we would be better off calling him ‘honest’ Thomas!
3rd Mention is in John chapter 20 verses 24-28.
• I guess this is the passage that doubting Thomas gets his nick-name from;
• And on this occasion he deserves it;
• Because his faith in Jesus Christ is replaced by human reason;
• But don’t forget the emotional roller-coaster this man has been through!
24Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25So 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 it."
26A 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!" 27Then 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."
28Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"
• As we come to the crossroad of doubt as found in John chapter 20,
• Once again we see the questioning nature of Thomas:
• After Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion, every creepy-crawly doubt imaginable,
• Was crawling through the mind of Thomas.
These uncertainties mocked everything Thomas and the other disciples believed:
• “Jesus a Messiah? But he’s dead I saw it with my own eyes!"
• "Kingdom of God there is no kingdom, the king is dead"
• "Was he God’s Son, or merely a fake? Have we been fooled and taken in"
• For three days all the disciples mourned, they grieved,
• Tormented by these kind of doubts that possessed them.
(1). THOMAS THE ABSENTEE (VERSE 19):
“On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors
locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said "Peace be with you! "
After he said this, he showed them his hands and side.
The disciples were 0verjoyed when they saw the Lord.......Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came.”
• Ever wonder why Thomas wasn’t there?
• Probably because he had chosen to grieve alone.
• Reflective people usually do.
• They prefer solitude to crowded rooms for sorting out their questions.
Verse 21-22: notice that his absence was costly:
“Again Jesus said "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you."
And with that he breathed on them and said "Receive the Holy Spirit if you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven."
Because Thomas went walkabout and was not with the other disciples:
• He missed out on some incredible experiences.
• He missed receiving a commission from Jesus: “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you."
• He missed the experience of the Holy Spirit when Jesus breathed on them.
• But most of all he missed out on seeing the risen Lord.
(2). THOMA5 THE SKEPTIC (VERSE 25A):
“So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!"
• The other disciples sought out Thomas and full of excitement declared,
• Thomas we have seen the Lord.
• In fact they go into great details;
• We have had seen the Lords hands & side (verse 20) "He showed them his hands and side."
• But the testimony of his friends and fellow disciples:
• Make no impact on Thomas,
• He has allowed his doubts to grow and grow and turn into unbelief.
VERSE 25B:
• Thomas emphatically and pessimistically replies:
• Well I want to see them as well, alter all "Seeing is believing".
"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 it."
• It would take more than words to help this questioning disciple believe,
• After all he had seen Jesus pinned to a cross with Roman spikes.
• So Thomas lays down 4 conditions to his believing,
• He will only believe on his terms.
Thomas has allowed his questioning mind to harden his heart and make it stubborn:
• It would take touching the resurrected Saviour’s wounds,
• To heal the wounds in Thomas’ faith.
• And that is exactly what Jesus allowed him to do:
• Graciously Jesus consented.
• In fact he singled out Thomas and gave granted his request.
• It is a touching fact to note:
• That the two disciples that Jesus gave special attention to after his resurrection:
• Are Peter the denier, and Thomas the doubter.
(3). THOMAS THE BELIEVER (VERSE 26 TO 28):
“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. "
Jesus knew the exact words Thomas had spoken to the other disciples 7 days earlier:
• Notice how Jesus deals with Thomas.
• As well as a rebuke, Jesus is actually very gentle in the way he handles him.
• Jesus knew that Thomas not only possessed a questioning mind,
• But also a loving heart!
• Jesus gives Thomas an invitation, he says to Thomas;
• "Here is the evidence, accept it and renounce your doubts”
NOTICE:
• In verse 25 there are four DEMANDS of Thomas.
• In verse 27 there are four COMMANDS of Jesus.
• The four demands are in verse 25;
• And the four commands are in verse 27.
• Thomas’ first demand: "I must see the nail marks in his hand”.
• Jesus’ first command: "See my hands"
• Thomas’ second demand: "I must put my fingers where the nails where”
• Jesus’ second command: "Put your finger here".
• Thomas’ third demand: "I must put my hand in his side”
• Jesus’ third command: “Reach out your hand and put it in my side"
• Thomas’ fourth demand: "I will not believe!”
• Jesus’ fourth command: "Stop doubting and believe!"
(4). THOMAS THE CONFESSOR (VERSE 28).
• “Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!"
• Thomas makes a tremendous declaration of heartfelt faith; as you’ll find anywhere:
• This is the true Thomas,
• Who has come face to face with his own doubts and overcome them.
• The majority of people may call him ‘doubting Thomas’,
• I prefer to call him ‘Thomas the confessor!’
• Note: Thomas is the first person to call Jesus God
• The first person to publicly acknowledge his deity!
• And in doing so he brings John’s gospel full circle.
• It starts and finish with an acknowledgement that Jesus Christ is God!
• It is believed that Thomas preached in Persia, Parthia and also in India from 58AD;
• Until he was martyred in 72AD.
• The Church in Southern India was it seems founded by Him,
• Thomas was martyred for the faith by being killed with a spear.
• And He is supposedly buried in Madras at the Church of St Thomas.
• The spear and a builder’s square are the symbols of Thomas.
