Touch and See
Read the Text: John 20
Memorize the Text: He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:7-8)
Consider the Text: John 20:24-29
Doubt has a way of causing us to become unsettled. When doubt enters our walk with Christ, we enter a state of questioning and confusion. In John 20:24-29, Jesus engaged the disciple, Thomas. This engagement revealed the effects of the crucifixion and Thomas’ struggle to accept the resurrection fully. This passage provides Thomas's story of gaining the nickname “Doubting Thomas.” Let’s not be too tough on Thomas because we can struggle with moments of doubt in our lives.
We need to learn from the CHARACTER OF THOMAS. Thomas views the world where the glass always existed as half empty. Thomas followed Jesus with loyalty. In John 11, Thomas declared that he would follow Jesus to death. He automatically saw the worst-case scenario. His perspective slanted toward the negative, and he missed the joy that God desired him to experience.
Thomas doubting nature caused him to fail at listening closely. In John 14, Thomas asked Jesus about the “way” Jesus spoke. Thomas struggled to understand clearly what Jesus taught them and told them. He focused on framing the next question to ask instead of listening to the answer of the moment. He allowed his doubt to drive him to a state of preoccupation that kept him from fully engaging Jesus.
As a result of these perspectives, Thomas existed as a doubter. He struggled to believe what he could not understand and constantly sought proof. Thomas’ doubt was an internal struggle that caused chaos in his life. This response occurred because Thomas wanted to accept Jesus on his terms. He desired to see and touch the scar before believing. He wanted a personal experience to test what he was hearing.
We need to see that JESUS SEEKS TO SAVE THE LOST. Jesus knew the doubting nature of Thomas. He did not wait for Thomas to take the initiative to come to him in belief, but Jesus modeled how he seeks a relationship with people. He came to where Thomas was for the purpose of engagement. He did not sit back and wait for Thomas to come to his senses or start to pursue Christ; instead, Jesus sought the doubter.
Jesus knew Thomas and responded to him in a personal manner. Jesus does not respond to people in the abstract but responds to the personal. He provided answers for each question or concern of Thomas. This approach unlocked the door that Thomas formed and allowed Christ access to offer Thomas peace and provide Thomas with the needed victory. Jesus seeks the lost and doubting in the same manner today. He approaches them personally and unlocks the door inviting them to enter a relationship with him.
We must hear JESUS CALL FOR BELIEF. Thomas practiced loyalty but failed to practice the belief Christ desired. Thomas’ lack of trust became evident at the crucifixion and his struggle after the resurrection. Jesus called him to believe. To believe without doubt and live in complete faith and trust. This belief was needed for proper faith to occur.
The same can be true today. We can be individuals who are loyal to Christ and yet still be away from him. We need to assess our lives and see if we are living in faith due to responding to the pursuit of Jesus. Would people seeing our lives see a doubting Thomas or a disciple Thomas?
This blog is part of the Coffee and Quiet Time with Jesus Devotional Series found at equippingfaith.com. Join the journey of reading through the New Testament this year. More information can be found at equippingfaith.com.
