Scripture: John 20:24 – 31
Title: The God Who Shows Himself
INTRO:
Grace and peace this morning in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit!
I want to talk to you about the God who cares so much that He takes the extra time to reveal Himself to us even in those times that we may not deserve it. That is what we find in our scripture passage this morning. Jesus goes out of His way to show Himself – His Risen Self – to his disciple, Thomas.
It all reminds me of a new musical film that has just come out over the last few weeks featuring the song – “THE GOD WHO SEES”. The song was written by Nicole C. Mullen and Kathie Lee Gifford.
It is an amazing song that takes us on a journey through the lives of Hagar, Ruth, David and Mary Magdalene. The song shares how in each of these individuals had to face a time in the wilderness, a time in the desert, a time dealing with despair, doubt and sorrow.
The song shows how through each of their lives the LORD GOD – EL ROI (THE GOD WHO SEES) revealed Himself and was able to bring peace and comfort into their lives. The song explains how God reached out to each one of them revealing to them that He had a plan for their lives – a plan that would be under His protection and grace. The song is centered around the theme that we serve a God who sees us and does everything to not only to meet our needs but to help us reach new levels of holiness, majesty and blessing.
Listen to some of the lyrics of the song:
I'm the God who sees, who sees
I'm the God who sees
Oh I'm the God who sees, I see you
I'm the God who sees you in your wilderness
Sees you in your brokenness
When you're feeling lonely, I'm the God who sees
In the desert places, in your empty spaces
I'm the God who sees
I'm nearer than you dare believe
Here in the very air you breathe
I'm the God who sees
You
This morning, we serve a God who not only sees us but on different occasions by different means will do His best to reveal Himself to us. Let’s see how Jesus did all of this and more in our passage this morning.
I. The God of Peace
Even though many had by now witnessed the Risen Lord, the Gospel of John tells us that the disciples were still having some struggles with fear and anxiety. That is why we read in verse 26 that eight days after the Resurrection the disciples were gathered together but only behind closed doors.
Most Bible Scholars believe that the disciples at the time were secretly meeting somewhere in the city of Jerusalem either in a private home or meeting house. The focus being on them finding a place that was both safe and secure.
They also believe that the disciples were still afraid for their lives. The disciples were still under the belief that the Jews; that is, those in authority still wanted to arrest them and perhaps put them to death. Maybe more now that the news had gotten out that Jesus had risen from the dead.
That means even though they had seen the Risen Christ, those early followers of Jesus had not yet understood that a New Day had arrived. The day of being afraid of the powers of darkness and the world should have been put in the rear-view mirror. But it would take a few more appearances by the Risen Christ and the Outpouring of the Holy Spirit to help the Church receive the power and strength that it needed to stand up to evil – both human and supernatural.
It is important then that we focus on Jesus’ first words to His disciples that we find in verse 26 – “PEACE TO YOU” (e????? eir?ne, i-ray'-nay).
The word Eirene is such a powerful word. Eirene (peace) was the word used to share the Good News that a time of war is over. It was the word that was used to tell a nation that it could now enjoy a time of national tranquility. It was a word that was to promote the Good News that a time of harmony, security, safety and prosperity was just ahead. It was a word that was always welcomed and always appreciated.
Later on, in Church History the word would come to mean – MESSIAH’s Peace. It would refer to the peace that leads to salvation and that results in a life of salvation. It would refer to the peace that describes a person’s relationship with God – safe, comforting, devout, trusting, content and prosperous.
All of that is what Jesus brought into the room that day. Before Jesus, the room had been filled with an atmosphere of anxiety, worry and concern. It had the distinct aroma of fear, dread and distress.
But when Jesus came into the room the atmosphere of the room was transformed. Jesus brought an aroma of peace, of comfort, of encouragement and safety. Jesus brought order into a room filled with a spirit of chaos. Jesus’ presence made all the difference in the world.
Jesus’ presence always makes a difference. That is why Jesus shared with us these wonderful words before He went back to Heaven –
“Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20b)
“Lo” – in other words – HEY! Let me get your attention.
“I AM WITH YOU” – I, Jesus - the GREAT I AM, THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE – THE ALPHA AND THE OMEGA – THE KING OF KINGS and LORD OF LORDS. Understand that it is I – the most powerful force in all of creation and out of creation that is with you – I am on your side. There is no power or being greater than I. There is nothing that can separate Me from you. There is no devil big enough or evil great enough that I have not already defeated. I AM WITH YOU!
“Even to the end of the age” – That means yesterday, today and forever more until time itself is no more.
All of this makes us have to ask ourselves some very important questions. Questions like:
+ How often do we find ourselves fearing needlessly?
+ How often do we find ourselves overcome with anxiety and being scared?
+ How often do we wake up at night finding our sleep interrupted by a time of uneasiness and dismay?
It is human to be afraid. It is human to experience fear. It is human to find ourselves overwhelmed with anxiety, worry, doubt and what the old people called the “jitters”.
But we don’t have to live that way as humans. We don’t have to face these times of fear all by ourselves. We can call for Jesus. We can call for the presence of the One we call Shepherd, Protector and Friend. We can call for God’s supernatural power to come into our lives.
The Bible tells us over and over things like this:
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” – Psalm 23:4
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom Shall I fear?” – Psalm 27:1
“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; So, shall I be saved from my enemies.” - Psalm 18:2-3
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore, my heart greatly rejoices and with my song I will praise Him.” – Psalm 28:7
“Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” – John 14:27
The next time we find ourselves getting all keyed up and worrying about things, we need to take much needed time out. A time out to make a call to Jesus. We need to take the time to allow Jesus to come into our rooms, our hearts and our minds. We need to focus on the Only One who can bring us peace – true peace.
To me that is one of the most important lessons this passage can teach us. Only Jesus can really take away our anxieties, our worries and our fears. Jesus promises us that we can enjoy a peace that passes all understanding. Jesus not only makes that promise but history tells us over and over again that Jesus has made good on that promise.
Millions of people have enjoyed the peace that Jesus has given them in times of crisis, in times of unrest and in times of anxiety and worry. Millions of people have enjoyed the peace that Jesus can give in any situation. The question is this morning – when something happens that tries to steal our peace, do we allow the theft, or do we go to Our Risen Savior and LORD and rest in His peace? Do we allow Jesus to do for us what He did for Thomas and the rest of those in that room?
II. He Is the God of the Individual
From all accounts it looks like this revelation was designed especially for Thomas.
For a moment let’s reflect on that fact. It looks like from every angle we can look at that, this revelation – this appearance of Jesus had one particular audience in mind and one intention in mind.
It was not to scold Thomas. The LORD could have done that by appearing to Thomas when Thomas was alone. We don’t serve a God who seeks to publicly chastise us or publicly shame us. That is the work of the Devil. It is the Devil who wants to bring shame to us and accuse us before a crowd of people.
It was not to ridicule Thomas. Far too many sermons have been written and preached about Thomas’ doubt. If we had been there, we might have been right there with Thomas. I mean how many of us have seen a dead man come back to life? Can we really be upset with Thomas over his lack of faith?
Thomas knew that you didn’t get off a Roman Cross alive. He knew that you don’t put a live human being in a tomb and seal it off with a large rock. He knew that you don’t buy 75 pounds worth of embalming spices to put around a body unless that body was good and dead.
Jesus was not there to ridicule Thomas. Jesus was not there to scold him, belittle him or make him look small.
Jesus was there because Thomas needed him. Thomas loved Jesus and Jesus loved Thomas. For over three years Thomas had followed Jesus everywhere he went. He had watched Jesus feed the 5,000, walk on water and bring Lazarus back to life. He had listened to the words of Jesus as He preached the Sermon on the Mount. Thomas had poured his life into Jesus and into Jesus’ ministry and vision.
And now, Jesus was pouring back His life into Thomas. Jesus saw that Thomas needed a little more help. Jesus saw that Thomas needed some more assuring.
It reminds me of a story of Gideon that we find in Judges chapter 7. The LORD had already pared down Gideon’s army from a high of 33,000 soldiers to 10,000 soldiers to finally a mere 300 soldiers.
While Gideon was trying to settle down for the night, he couldn’t get easy. How in the world could he defeat the Midianites with only 300 soldiers? Gideon was worried that in the morning the Midianites would not only defeat them but that the people of Israel would be enslaved one more time.
The Bible tells us that God came down and spoke to Gideon. The LORD told Gideon to sneak down to the Midianites camp and listen to what their soldiers were saying. The LORD told Gideon that HE would take care of him. All he had to do was to just sneak down there and listen.
Gideon does as God tells him. He sneaks down there and overhears a soldier telling another soldier that in a dream the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY revealed that Gideon and His men would destroy the army of the Midianites. That no matter how many more soldiers the Midianites had they were going to lose because they would not be fighting just Gideon but the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY as well.
Gideon didn’t need to hear anything else. The LORD had come down and shown him that He was with Gideon. Gideon got up and prepared to win the war. The Bible tells us that the next day the Midianite army was destroyed, and Gideon was praised as a mighty man of valor. It was a great miracle for the People of God.
Now, God did not have to appear to Gideon. God did not have to give Gideon some assurance. God did not have to put Gideon’s heart and mind to ease. The LORD could have just removed Gideon from the scene and picked another leader.
But that is not how the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY acts. That is not a part of His nature. The Bible tells us that the LORD is long suffering and kind. The LORD does His best to help us through our difficulties.
The LORD comes to those that need assurance. The Lord comes to those who need encouragement. The Lord comes to those who are bothered in the watches of the night.
The Bible tells us that He came many times to Father Abraham. He came many times to Joshua. He came many times to both Ruth and Esther. He came to King David along with Elijah and Elisha. The LORD came many times to Daniel and the Three Hebrew Children.
And the LORD came to Thomas. Not to ridicule him, not to belittle him or to cast him to the side. God in Flesh – Jesus Christ – Our Messiah and LORD came to Thomas to help him, encourage him and renew his strength. Jesus came and allowed Thomas to see for himself. Jesus invited Thomas to see the scars on his body. Jesus invited Thomas to touch the wounds on his hands and the scar on his side.
You see God understands our confusion and doubt. God understands those times that we struggle with reading our Bibles, taking time out to pray and being faithful in our church attendance. God understands those times that we don’t know what to say or what direction to turn.
We do not serve a God who seeks to shame us or harm us.
No, we need to reflect more on the passages that share the true heart of God like the Parable of the Waiting Father (Luke 15:11 - 25). You know the story.
The youngest son wants his inheritance. In fact, he demands his inheritance. He takes it and runs off. While he is off having a great time, he discovers that in no time he has wasted it all. What should have lasted him a lifetime had vanished in a matter of a few weeks or months.
Penniless and not really fit to work he finds himself feeding and living around a man’s hog lot. The friends he thought he had made were gone once he had no more money. The Bible tells us that he gets so hungry that he is even tempted to eat what the hogs are eating. He is ready to eat pig slop.
One day he decides he will try to go home. He realizes that this type of life isn’t for anyone. He knows that he cannot live the rest of his life around the hogs. I am sure that the hogs may have been thinking the same thing. They may have been tired of living around him.
He hopes that at the very least his father might allow him to become a servant or a slave. He knows that he will have to endure all the tongue lashing, the “I told you so’s” and all the rest of that stuff but that had to be better than living with a bunch of hogs, so he sets out for home.
As he turns the corner to see his house, he notices that his father is running towards him. He is wondering why he is running so fast. Is he coming to chase me away? Will he begin to curse me or give me a tongue lashing? Will he suddenly stop, turn his back thereby telling me that I am to be forever shamed and shunned?
While all of these thoughts are going on in his head before he knows it, his father grabs him and hugs him. He is not mad at all. He welcomes him back home. He gives him new clothes, a new family ring and throws a party for him. It is all unbelievable. His father’s love is deeper than the young man ever thought possible.
Now, that is not quite what we might think that the father should have done. It may not even be quite what we think we might have done. If we had been the Father, we might have wanted to have a sit down with the boy first to make sure that he understood just what he did. We might want him to realize just how he had wasted our hard-earned money. How he had wasted his life and our time. How he had caused the family a lot of shame and pain. How he now needs to understand that there is no more money and that life is not going to be the same. How that he will be put on probation and that he better never think of doing something so stupid again. How that you would be watching each and every move he makes. He is welcomed back but life will be very different than it was before.
But that is not the picture Jesus shares. It is the picture of a waiting/expecting father. It is the picture of a father that no doubt had kept tabs on his son. It is the picture of a father that seemed to know that his son was coming home and was making sure that he was waiting to receive him. It was the picture of a father whose heart was to rescue and redeem and restore. It was the picture of a father who knew that the best lessons are those learned in and through love.
Jesus shared that picture because that is the picture of our God. God is not out to tell us off, to make sure we learn our lessons or to keep things away from us. God knows when we are in the hog lot and when we are not. God knows what is going on every minute of everyday in our lives.
And God loves us. He sent His Only Son to die for us. He sent His Holy Spirit to cleanse us, redeem us and infill us with power, honor, glory, favor and blessing. That is the God of the Old and New Testament. That is the God that we serve today. That is the Good God of Creation.
Today, when you find yourself confused, in doubt, wondering what in the world is going to happen don’t think that God is going to shame you, be disappointed in you or reject you.
Instead, realize that God is going to treat you with as much love and kindness as possible. Realize that God is going to be with you no matter what happens, and that God is going to do everything possible to make sure that if there are dire consequences that must happen as a result of your sin they will be as brief and as painless as possible.
We might have treated Thomas differently that day. Then again, we are not Jesus. But, the more we begin to have the mind of Jesus the more we will do exactly what Jesus did.
+We will do our best to bring peace into people’s lives.
+We will see out ways to bring peace into people’s lives.
+We will discover and experience a deeper peace in our own lives.
+We will do our best to help others find harmony, contentment, safety and security.
+We would do our best to treat others as God’s precious one of a kind creations.
+We will be there for those that want to return – not to scold them, not to shame them or to tell them “I told you so”, but to love them, to welcome them home and to celebrate new life with them.
This morning, Jesus shows us how much he loved Thomas. He came to show Himself – His Risen Self to one who was having a little difficulty believing. He will do the same for us as well. We should pray that He does the same for others.
When we need peace – let us call on the name of Our Lord and then be open to receive that peace, that calm and comfort.
When we are in doubt – confused – let us call on the name of Our Lord and then be amazed at how God shows Himself to us.
For we serve a God who will bring peace to all situations and who is ready and willing to take the time to help any of us and all of us through difficult times.
Invitation to the Lord’s Supper
Prayer/Blessings
