Was Thomas A Doubter?

Thomas

John 20:24-29

April 26, 2020

If I was to give you a quiz about nicknames . . . can you get these right?

The Intimidator - Dale Earnhart

The Bus - Jerome Bettis

Ryno - Ryne Sandberg

Mr. Cub - Ernie Banks

The refrigerator - William Perry

Sweetness - Walter Payton

The Golden Jet - Bobby Hull

His Airness - Michael Jordan

The Big Hurt - Frank Thomas

Well, if you know Chicago sports, then hopefully you at least got 8 / 10. Nicknames can be either really positive or they can be pretty bad. How many of you had nicknames? And if you think about them, they may not all have been good, not because you even did anything wrong. They often come out of a situation and then they stick. And getting rid of a nickname can be pretty difficult to do.

This morning we’re going to look at someone had got a nickname that really seems appropriate, yet when you look at this guys history, it really seems uncalled for. But understand, Jesus didn’t give it to him, nor did his friends . . . we did! And if we were to be honest, he already had a nickname from the Bible.

Let’s take a look at this guy! We’re going to look at what we know about him and see if the nickname sticks, and what we can learn from him.

We first hear about . . . drum roll . . . Thomas. Were you guessing it was Thomas?

Thomas is mentioned 3 times in the NT. They’re all in the gospel of John. We’re going to look at chapters 11, 14 and 20.

As a backdrop, in John 10, we read that the Jews are trying to kill Jesus. Jesus had been teaching in the Temple and the Jewish leaders didn’t like what he was preaching. In 3 verses we read -

31 The Jews picked up stones again to stone Him.

39 Again they sought to arrest Him, but He escaped from their hands.

40 He went away again across the Jordan - John 10:31, 39-40

So, Jesus left the city and then in John 11, we learn that Jesus was called to help Lazarus who was dying. When Jesus decided the time was right to go . . . they would have to go back through that same region. The disciples said to Jesus -

8 “Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?”

Finally, in verse 14-15, Jesus tells them,

14 “Lazarus has died . . . 15 . . . But let us go to him.”

I can imagine the anxiety among the disciples, they don’t want to go back either. Lazarus was a nice guy, but he’s dead. Hey Jesus, aren’t you the one who said “let the dead bury the dead?”

But He wants to go, now listen to what happens next. Out of all the disciples who could say something, it’s Thomas. And look at what John tells us about this so-called doubter --

16 So Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with Him.”

Thomas is ready to go to war with Jesus. And if we die, then so be it. Come on, guys. I thought you were tough, let’s go, no need to be afraid. This is the time we were made for. I don’t know about you, but I don’t see any DOUBT in this Thomas. I see great courage!

2. That’s the first time we hear of Thomas. The 2nd time occurs in John 14. The disciples are in the upper room, having Passover with Jesus. Jesus is talking to them about servanthood, His betrayal and death, and as Jesus is speaking Jesus explains in John 14 - -

1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.

2 In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

4 And you know the way to where I am going.”

Those are great words of comfort from Jesus. But Jesus said, “You know the way to the place where I am going.” Nope, they didn’t.

Have you ever wanted to ask a question in school or at work and you thought people would laugh at it. That’s a really stupid question. How can you not know that answer. Sometimes our insecurities get the best of us. I don’t think any of the disciples had a clue. But they just kept silent. Then Thomas jumped in and he asked Jesus -