Without A Doubt

When we hear someone say “without a doubt”. What comes to mind? Certainly the person who uttered it is attempting to convey the certainty of a thing. In John 11:14–16; 14:5–8; 20:24–29; 21:1–2, we encounter Thomas, one of Jesus’ inner circle of disciples. He was committed to following Jesus, but after encountering the risen Lord and being confronted with the truth of the resurrection he became committed to faith in Jesus as Lord and God. I pray that you have believed the truth of the resurrection and are fully committed to faith in Jesus as Lord and God….the way, the truth and the life. Amen

So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”

Then Thomas (also known as Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” (John 11:14–16)

Thomas is widely known by his refusal to believe Jesus’ resurrection unless he saw and examined the nail holes on Jesus’ body for himself. We even have a well known moniker, using his name, for people who are refuse to believe until they see. Those persons are usually referred to as “Doubting Thomases”.

But when we look deeper at the instances where we see Thomas in the Bible, another narrative emerges. Thomas made a strange statement here, “Let us all go, that we may die with him”. Where did that statement come from and what does it say to us about Thomas? I suggest that it shows us Thomas’s level of commitment to Jesus and His mission. Why? By this time in His ministry, powerful forces in Jerusalem were openly plotting to kill Jesus (see John 11:4-8). Thomas was willing to go to Bethany (which is near Jerusalem) where Lazarus and his sisters lived, even if it meant death. And he urged the rest of Jesus’ disciples to demonstrate that same level of courage and commitment!

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” (John 14:5–8)

In the midst of Jesus’ that last somber encounter with His disciples, He told them that He had to go away and they could not come where He was going. But Jesus also told them that they knew the way. Only Thomas had the courage to say to Jesus that they did not know the way. Jesus responded by telling them all that He is the way to truth and life (eternal). Jesus stressed that there is only one way to the Father and salvation. Faith in Jesus is the only way to salvation!

Philip’s request showed that the disciples, who had been with Jesus throughout His ministry, still did not understand that Jesus and His Father were one. To see and know Jesus was to see and know the Father

Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 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.”

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.”

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

Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:24–29)

After Jesus’ resurrection, He came and appeared to His disciples as they were huddled in fear, at night, behind locked doors (see John 20:19-20). He gave them peace from their fears by His presence and His words. However, at that time, Thomas was not there. Upon hearing that the other disciples had seen Jesus, Thomas was unconvinced that it was really Jesus they saw. He told them that he would only believe it if he saw proof for himself. A week later, when His disciples were all together in the house again, Jesus appeared and called Thomas to see and touch the places where He had been nailed and pierced.

Again, Thomas utters a profound statement of commitment to Jesus, saying “My Lord and my God!”. Thomas understood in that moment what Jesus had told them… He was God made flesh. Confronted with the proof of Jesus resurrection, Thomas went from skeptical to a believer. Jesus pronounced a blessing to all who would follow and come to faith in Him without the benefit of seeing what Thomas saw physically.

Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. (John 21:1–2)

Jesus had told His disciples that He would meet with them by the Sea of Galilee. So several of them went there, and there Jesus appeared to them. Among those who went to meet with Jesus, was Thomas. He was no longer skeptical as He had been after Jesus death. He was a believer and faith filled after his encounter with the risen Lord. His demonstration of faith was evident in that he went to Galilee in expectation and faith that he would see Jesus there.

Conclusion

In Thomas we see a demonstration of commitment and belief in Jesus. He was not content to just be a disciple who knew of Jesus, he was committed to Him. And when he was confronted with the truth of the resurrection, he fully committed to faith in Jesus. He recognized Jesus as Lord and God. He was willing to go in faith where Jesus told him to go. And he longed to see Jesus again, understanding that through faith in Him he would not only see Jesus, he would receive salvation and life everlasting. How committed are you to faith in Jesus and going where He leads you? Are you still holding back from committing to Him because of doubt and fear? In his book Twelve Ordinary Men, John MacArthur says “let those who question the deity of Christ meet Thomas”. And so now that we have met Thomas…let us forever have no doubt that Jesus is Lord and God.

Blessings, Rev. Glenn