WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.520 All right, well as we come to God's Word this morning, we are picking up the story again where we left off. 00:00:07.020 --> 00:00:17.339 We're in John chapter 20, and we heard last Sunday what John's experience was, the day that Jesus rose from the dead. 00:00:18.559 --> 00:00:27.199 It all started for John when Mary Magdalene showed up at the front door with news that Jesus' body had been stolen. 00:00:27.199 --> 00:00:36.960 We heard how John and Peter ran to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, empty. 00:00:38.140 --> 00:00:45.539 And even though they didn't see angels or Jesus, John told us that this was the moment that he believed. 00:00:47.780 --> 00:00:53.780 We ended last Sunday with Mary knocking on John's door again, so to speak. 00:00:53.780 --> 00:00:59.780 But this time with the news that she had seen Jesus alive. 00:01:02.299 --> 00:01:06.980 Now we're about to hear what happened later that same day. 00:01:07.379 --> 00:01:09.340 Let's pick up the story. 00:01:10.280 --> 00:01:13.140 John chapter 20, verse 19. 00:01:13.140 --> 00:01:23.719 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, 00:01:25.000 --> 00:01:30.319 Jesus came and stood among them and said, peace be with you. 00:01:31.799 --> 00:01:36.819 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. 00:01:36.819 --> 00:01:42.299 The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. 00:01:44.659 --> 00:01:50.139 So this is the moment when John first sees Jesus alive after he had risen from the dead. 00:01:50.919 --> 00:01:55.699 He had to wait the whole day until the evening before he got his turn. 00:01:55.700 --> 00:02:07.359 And Luke, in his gospel, is the one who describes this occasion, this appearing of Jesus that evening in the fullest detail. 00:02:08.219 --> 00:02:16.259 Luke describes how earlier in the afternoon, Jesus had appeared to Cleopas and his friend on the way to Emmaus, 00:02:17.060 --> 00:02:19.460 a little town just down the road from Jerusalem. 00:02:20.199 --> 00:02:24.659 And Jesus had walked with them, though they didn't recognize him. 00:02:24.659 --> 00:02:32.020 And then he had a meal with them at their house in the evening. 00:02:33.240 --> 00:02:36.099 And Cleopas and his friend recognized Jesus. 00:02:36.379 --> 00:02:42.500 And Luke tells us that at that moment, Jesus vanished right before their eyes. 00:02:44.840 --> 00:02:51.019 And Luke tells us that Cleopas and his friend then got up at once and returned to Jerusalem. 00:02:51.020 --> 00:02:57.560 And when they got to Jerusalem, Cleopas and his friend found the eleven disciples all gathered together. 00:02:57.680 --> 00:03:00.719 Eleven because Judas is no longer part of the group. 00:03:01.820 --> 00:03:04.300 And the disciples were saying, according to Luke, 00:03:04.700 --> 00:03:08.740 It's true, the Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon. 00:03:09.900 --> 00:03:11.260 That is, Simon Peter. 00:03:11.259 --> 00:03:18.199 And then Cleopas and his friend share about their encounter with Jesus alive. 00:03:18.620 --> 00:03:25.079 And Luke will go on to tell much more about this occasion when Jesus appears in the evening than John does. 00:03:25.399 --> 00:03:32.060 But what does John remember from that awesome moment when he first saw Jesus alive? 00:03:32.060 --> 00:03:38.460 Well, first, there is the unexplainable surprise of the moment. 00:03:38.900 --> 00:03:40.800 Look at how John describes this. 00:03:41.659 --> 00:03:45.400 He says, Jesus came and stood among them. 00:03:47.319 --> 00:03:48.520 But from where? 00:03:49.439 --> 00:03:50.420 And how? 00:03:51.680 --> 00:03:54.480 It's as if one moment Jesus wasn't there. 00:03:54.479 --> 00:03:57.399 And the next moment, there he was. 00:03:57.959 --> 00:03:58.519 Standing. 00:03:59.079 --> 00:04:00.620 Right there in the room. 00:04:01.919 --> 00:04:04.299 It's like he just appears seemingly out of nowhere. 00:04:05.839 --> 00:04:11.199 And John mentions a significant detail that Luke chose to leave out. 00:04:11.280 --> 00:04:16.199 He says, we were all together and we had the doors locked. 00:04:17.379 --> 00:04:19.599 We had the doors locked. 00:04:19.600 --> 00:04:27.400 Now, this wasn't a case of how it sometimes is with you and your car when you drive to the city. 00:04:28.379 --> 00:04:31.879 Most of you, I hope, lock your car when you park it somewhere in the city. 00:04:32.820 --> 00:04:35.740 That's a prudent thing to do in a fallen world. 00:04:36.020 --> 00:04:37.400 That's good stewardship. 00:04:38.660 --> 00:04:43.700 But probably most of you who are drivers have had that moment where you wonder to yourself, 00:04:43.879 --> 00:04:45.000 did I lock the car? 00:04:45.000 --> 00:04:49.899 Some of you have long forgotten those days because you have one of those fancy new cars 00:04:49.899 --> 00:04:52.600 that locks itself when the remote gets far enough away. 00:04:53.180 --> 00:04:59.920 But I still have one of those old vehicles and I still ask that question from time to time. 00:04:59.980 --> 00:05:00.939 Did I lock the van door? 00:05:01.240 --> 00:05:02.959 I better go back and I better check. 00:05:03.540 --> 00:05:04.540 But this was different. 00:05:05.500 --> 00:05:09.920 John and everyone else in the room, they knew that the doors were locked. 00:05:10.500 --> 00:05:11.759 And they knew why. 00:05:11.759 --> 00:05:15.240 We were afraid, says John. 00:05:16.139 --> 00:05:18.560 We were afraid of the Jewish leaders. 00:05:20.099 --> 00:05:22.779 Now, let's dig into this fear a little bit. 00:05:24.039 --> 00:05:28.860 Most likely, if the crucifixion had been the end of the story of Jesus, 00:05:29.300 --> 00:05:32.019 they wouldn't have been afraid of the Jewish leaders. 00:05:33.480 --> 00:05:39.039 Most of the anger and the hatred and the jealousy of the leaders was fixated on Jesus. 00:05:39.040 --> 00:05:44.840 But now, with Jesus gone, their leader gone, 00:05:46.000 --> 00:05:48.760 we won't have to worry too much about his disciples. 00:05:49.540 --> 00:05:54.660 We saw how they scattered that night in the garden when we arrested him. 00:05:57.420 --> 00:06:01.660 But now that word is getting around that Jesus has risen from the dead, 00:06:02.400 --> 00:06:06.300 the tomb is empty and there's no body of Jesus to be found. 00:06:06.820 --> 00:06:08.259 Well, this changes things. 00:06:08.259 --> 00:06:14.839 Matthew tells us in his gospel that the soldiers who had stood guard at the tomb, 00:06:15.360 --> 00:06:22.219 they came and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened earlier that morning. 00:06:23.019 --> 00:06:25.060 That would include the earthquake. 00:06:25.740 --> 00:06:32.019 That would include the angelic being who rolled the stone away from the entrance and sat on it, 00:06:32.099 --> 00:06:35.680 after which probably the soldiers fled in fear. 00:06:35.680 --> 00:06:39.840 And the chief priests, when they met with the soldiers, 00:06:40.639 --> 00:06:43.959 they gave them a bribe and told them, 00:06:44.480 --> 00:06:46.540 you are to say, 00:06:47.100 --> 00:06:52.460 his disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep. 00:06:52.459 --> 00:06:59.839 So we can imagine that now the disciples are indeed quite afraid. 00:07:00.459 --> 00:07:02.120 Afraid of the religious leaders. 00:07:02.299 --> 00:07:04.219 They definitely, the religious leaders, 00:07:04.379 --> 00:07:07.379 they definitely don't believe Jesus has risen from the dead. 00:07:07.620 --> 00:07:09.699 And all they need to discredit, 00:07:10.839 --> 00:07:13.639 the resurrection of Jesus entirely, 00:07:13.639 --> 00:07:17.759 is the body of Jesus, 00:07:17.759 --> 00:07:20.659 to show the public the body of Jesus. 00:07:22.159 --> 00:07:24.360 Jesus couldn't have risen from the dead. 00:07:24.779 --> 00:07:28.199 No, his followers must have stolen the body. 00:07:29.319 --> 00:07:32.099 And now they're claiming that he rose from the dead. 00:07:32.680 --> 00:07:33.779 They have the body. 00:07:33.779 --> 00:07:36.239 We've got to find them. 00:07:37.419 --> 00:07:38.679 And the body. 00:07:40.879 --> 00:07:44.879 So they had the doors locked because they were afraid. 00:07:47.459 --> 00:07:50.559 And this is what caught John by surprise. 00:07:51.099 --> 00:07:52.159 Like, what? 00:07:52.859 --> 00:07:54.219 Where did he come from? 00:07:54.899 --> 00:07:56.239 How did he get in here? 00:07:56.240 --> 00:08:01.300 Much like Jesus vanished from the table in an instant 00:08:01.300 --> 00:08:03.980 before the very eyes of Cleopas and his friend, 00:08:04.360 --> 00:08:08.280 here Jesus seems to appear miraculously out of nowhere. 00:08:09.220 --> 00:08:12.480 There was no other explanation for how he got in here. 00:08:15.280 --> 00:08:19.040 So Jesus appears and he greets them. 00:08:20.060 --> 00:08:21.280 Peace be with you. 00:08:22.600 --> 00:08:24.879 It's actually a very ordinary greeting. 00:08:24.879 --> 00:08:28.600 It's the same greeting that's still used today by the Jews in Hebrew. 00:08:28.879 --> 00:08:31.899 It's a shalom, alachem. 00:08:33.080 --> 00:08:35.840 Peace be with you or peace be upon you. 00:08:37.279 --> 00:08:43.960 And then John describes how Jesus showed them his hands and his side. 00:08:45.759 --> 00:08:49.440 This was the proof that it was really Jesus. 00:08:50.620 --> 00:08:54.220 Even though his body had been resurrected and made new, 00:08:54.220 --> 00:08:57.940 it seems God saw fit to leave him with scars. 00:08:59.500 --> 00:09:02.060 These were to be identifying marks. 00:09:05.060 --> 00:09:08.019 Remember, John is the one who told us about the spear 00:09:08.019 --> 00:09:14.700 that was thrust into Jesus' dead body on the cross. 00:09:14.700 --> 00:09:21.700 And here John points out that not only did he have scars on his hands from the nails, 00:09:21.820 --> 00:09:27.640 but also there was a scar on his side in the same place that John watched the spear go in. 00:09:28.700 --> 00:09:30.480 It was beyond the shadow of a doubt. 00:09:30.620 --> 00:09:31.700 The same Jesus. 00:09:32.379 --> 00:09:33.860 They watched die. 00:09:34.320 --> 00:09:37.140 Now alive again in their presence. 00:09:37.139 --> 00:09:44.879 And at this point, John tells us how seeing Jesus made them all feel. 00:09:44.980 --> 00:09:46.019 He says in verse 20, 00:09:46.120 --> 00:09:47.620 We were overjoyed. 00:09:48.539 --> 00:09:49.100 Literally. 00:09:49.779 --> 00:09:51.019 They rejoiced. 00:09:51.019 --> 00:09:54.980 This was a very happy moment. 00:09:55.699 --> 00:09:56.960 A moment of celebration. 00:09:58.039 --> 00:09:58.600 Excitement. 00:09:58.980 --> 00:09:59.360 Wonder. 00:09:59.579 --> 00:10:00.059 Awe. 00:10:01.319 --> 00:10:03.840 John could finally say with the women. 00:10:04.579 --> 00:10:05.179 With Peter. 00:10:05.679 --> 00:10:06.480 With Cleopas. 00:10:07.240 --> 00:10:09.879 I have seen the Lord. 00:10:09.879 --> 00:10:17.600 But now John tells us about some things that Jesus said and did that evening 00:10:17.600 --> 00:10:21.600 that Luke chose to leave out of his account. 00:10:22.019 --> 00:10:23.519 Verse 21. 00:10:28.100 --> 00:10:29.519 Again, Jesus said, 00:10:30.039 --> 00:10:31.240 Peace be with you. 00:10:32.139 --> 00:10:34.539 As the Father has sent me, 00:10:35.139 --> 00:10:37.299 I am sending you. 00:10:37.299 --> 00:10:39.279 And with that, 00:10:39.439 --> 00:10:41.419 He breathed on them and said, 00:10:42.539 --> 00:10:44.759 Receive the Holy Spirit. 00:10:46.179 --> 00:10:49.559 If you forgive anyone's sins, 00:10:50.179 --> 00:10:52.000 their sins are forgiven. 00:10:52.939 --> 00:10:54.879 If you do not forgive them, 00:10:56.019 --> 00:10:57.659 they are not forgiven. 00:11:00.099 --> 00:11:02.839 Now this little snippet of what John has recorded 00:11:02.839 --> 00:11:05.639 has caused all kinds of debate and discussion 00:11:05.639 --> 00:11:08.939 amongst Christians for generations. 00:11:11.299 --> 00:11:13.679 The first thing that Jesus does here 00:11:13.679 --> 00:11:15.819 is to commission them to His service. 00:11:16.919 --> 00:11:17.960 And this is not new. 00:11:18.120 --> 00:11:20.720 This is basically the same thing that Jesus prayed 00:11:20.720 --> 00:11:23.939 three days earlier during His high priestly prayer. 00:11:24.939 --> 00:11:27.100 Remember back to John chapter 17, 00:11:27.279 --> 00:11:28.279 verse 18. 00:11:28.419 --> 00:11:30.240 Jesus talking to His Father said, 00:11:30.240 --> 00:11:33.440 As you sent me into the world, 00:11:33.580 --> 00:11:37.460 I have sent them into the world. 00:11:38.779 --> 00:11:40.019 And now here again, 00:11:40.100 --> 00:11:41.720 He says basically the same thing, 00:11:41.820 --> 00:11:42.320 but instead, 00:11:43.320 --> 00:11:44.799 directly to His disciples. 00:11:45.500 --> 00:11:47.680 As the Father has sent me, 00:11:48.240 --> 00:11:50.580 I am sending you. 00:11:50.580 --> 00:11:53.220 Now this, 00:11:53.220 --> 00:11:53.660 I think, 00:11:53.740 --> 00:11:55.740 is most likely something Jesus said 00:11:55.740 --> 00:11:58.100 to commission them as apostles, 00:11:58.460 --> 00:12:02.440 rather than a generic sending of all believers 00:12:02.440 --> 00:12:03.680 to preach the gospel. 00:12:05.600 --> 00:12:07.660 And I won't get into the fuller discussion 00:12:07.660 --> 00:12:09.560 for why this morning, 00:12:09.639 --> 00:12:10.620 for the sake of time, 00:12:10.879 --> 00:12:12.639 but there are some who do see this 00:12:12.639 --> 00:12:15.140 as a more general commissioning of all Christians 00:12:15.140 --> 00:12:17.879 to represent Christ in the world. 00:12:17.879 --> 00:12:22.820 Then there's what Jesus says in verse 23. 00:12:24.220 --> 00:12:24.620 He says, 00:12:24.879 --> 00:12:27.939 If you forgive anyone's sins, 00:12:28.860 --> 00:12:30.500 their sins are forgiven. 00:12:31.120 --> 00:12:33.220 If you do not forgive them, 00:12:34.000 --> 00:12:35.120 they are not forgiven. 00:12:37.279 --> 00:12:40.259 Now these words have been debated a lot. 00:12:41.360 --> 00:12:42.320 Probably, though, 00:12:42.399 --> 00:12:44.460 we can all agree that there's some sense 00:12:44.460 --> 00:12:46.580 of special authority being granted 00:12:46.580 --> 00:12:48.280 to the ones Jesus is sending. 00:12:48.820 --> 00:12:50.320 And so that's why I'm inclined to think 00:12:50.320 --> 00:12:52.940 that this sending has to do 00:12:52.940 --> 00:12:54.220 with them being apostles 00:12:54.220 --> 00:12:56.920 and not just typical Christian followers. 00:12:58.740 --> 00:13:01.840 Let's talk about this verse 23 for a minute. 00:13:02.980 --> 00:13:05.879 If you forgive anyone's sins, 00:13:05.879 --> 00:13:07.379 their sins are forgiven. 00:13:08.000 --> 00:13:10.080 If you do not forgive them, 00:13:11.180 --> 00:13:12.379 they are not forgiven. 00:13:12.379 --> 00:13:16.779 What do we do with this? 00:13:16.860 --> 00:13:17.600 What does it mean? 00:13:19.740 --> 00:13:22.080 Some might point to this saying of Jesus 00:13:22.080 --> 00:13:25.519 to suggest that we cannot directly confess 00:13:25.519 --> 00:13:27.159 our sins to God. 00:13:27.620 --> 00:13:29.379 We must go through a priest 00:13:29.379 --> 00:13:30.639 or a member of the clergy. 00:13:32.480 --> 00:13:34.779 But is Jesus saying that from now on, 00:13:35.080 --> 00:13:37.340 other people will need the apostles 00:13:37.340 --> 00:13:39.080 to find forgiveness from God? 00:13:39.080 --> 00:13:41.500 I don't think so. 00:13:41.580 --> 00:13:43.560 That's not the way the rest of the Bible 00:13:43.560 --> 00:13:45.300 points us. 00:13:47.500 --> 00:13:50.000 Other people, perhaps in reaction to that, 00:13:50.120 --> 00:13:51.360 will explain this statement 00:13:51.360 --> 00:13:53.460 in a way that basically flips it 00:13:53.460 --> 00:13:54.580 upside down completely 00:13:54.580 --> 00:13:55.820 to mean the very opposite 00:13:55.820 --> 00:13:57.540 of what it seems to mean. 00:13:59.100 --> 00:14:00.060 They'll say something like, 00:14:00.139 --> 00:14:02.780 well, it doesn't mean that the apostles 00:14:02.780 --> 00:14:05.000 will have any special authority from God 00:14:05.000 --> 00:14:06.040 to forgive sins. 00:14:06.039 --> 00:14:07.120 Because actually, 00:14:08.299 --> 00:14:09.959 you know, maybe it means 00:14:09.959 --> 00:14:13.279 that because God has already decided 00:14:13.279 --> 00:14:14.319 to forgive them, 00:14:16.120 --> 00:14:19.799 when they go and forgive someone, 00:14:20.000 --> 00:14:23.059 it's because God has already made that decision. 00:14:24.019 --> 00:14:25.779 Well, that sounds interesting, 00:14:25.939 --> 00:14:28.159 and it kind of seems to exalt 00:14:28.159 --> 00:14:29.399 the sovereignty of God. 00:14:29.399 --> 00:14:31.899 But we have to wonder, 00:14:32.019 --> 00:14:33.079 did Jesus really mean 00:14:33.079 --> 00:14:34.120 the exact opposite 00:14:34.120 --> 00:14:36.939 of what it seems like he said? 00:14:37.480 --> 00:14:38.139 You've got to be doing 00:14:38.139 --> 00:14:41.519 some pretty fancy grammatical gymnastics here 00:14:41.519 --> 00:14:42.860 to make the condition 00:14:42.860 --> 00:14:45.039 of this statement the result. 00:14:45.259 --> 00:14:46.000 And the result, 00:14:46.620 --> 00:14:47.179 the condition. 00:14:50.179 --> 00:14:51.199 And so I'll be honest. 00:14:51.439 --> 00:14:52.759 I'm not entirely sure 00:14:52.759 --> 00:14:54.139 what Jesus meant here, 00:14:54.399 --> 00:14:55.740 but if I had to guess, 00:14:55.740 --> 00:14:59.379 could it be that God gave a special role 00:14:59.379 --> 00:15:00.320 to the apostles, 00:15:01.159 --> 00:15:02.060 unique to them, 00:15:04.299 --> 00:15:06.039 such that just as they would speak 00:15:06.039 --> 00:15:07.799 the very words of God 00:15:07.799 --> 00:15:09.200 to people, 00:15:09.980 --> 00:15:11.700 like the prophets of old, 00:15:12.000 --> 00:15:12.919 in the same way, 00:15:13.000 --> 00:15:13.860 by the Spirit, 00:15:13.980 --> 00:15:16.139 they would be able to speak authoritatively 00:15:16.139 --> 00:15:18.419 on God's behalf, 00:15:19.539 --> 00:15:20.240 pronouncing, 00:15:20.960 --> 00:15:22.480 granting God's forgiveness 00:15:22.480 --> 00:15:23.720 to those who were coming 00:15:23.720 --> 00:15:24.779 and repenting 00:15:24.779 --> 00:15:26.740 and putting their faith in Jesus? 00:15:27.820 --> 00:15:29.960 And this not indefinitely, 00:15:30.220 --> 00:15:31.920 but for this time of transition 00:15:31.920 --> 00:15:33.440 between the old covenant 00:15:33.440 --> 00:15:35.080 and the new covenant. 00:15:37.160 --> 00:15:38.240 Could it be that 00:15:38.240 --> 00:15:40.240 they would be able to say 00:15:40.240 --> 00:15:41.820 to a person, 00:15:42.300 --> 00:15:43.680 truly on God's behalf, 00:15:43.800 --> 00:15:45.160 as Jesus' representatives, 00:15:45.420 --> 00:15:46.860 whether or not God had forgiven 00:15:46.860 --> 00:15:48.200 that person? 00:15:49.660 --> 00:15:51.639 Perhaps God gave them 00:15:51.639 --> 00:15:54.179 special divine knowledge 00:15:54.179 --> 00:15:55.759 of whether people were sincere 00:15:55.759 --> 00:15:57.840 and truly believing. 00:15:59.879 --> 00:16:00.879 Perhaps the reason 00:16:00.879 --> 00:16:01.939 was to make it clear 00:16:01.939 --> 00:16:03.299 and to give assurance 00:16:03.299 --> 00:16:03.919 that yes, 00:16:04.080 --> 00:16:06.460 God really has forgiven you. 00:16:08.679 --> 00:16:09.840 Maybe it was a way 00:16:09.840 --> 00:16:11.279 during this time of transition 00:16:11.279 --> 00:16:12.220 for God to put 00:16:12.220 --> 00:16:13.919 His authoritative word 00:16:13.919 --> 00:16:15.960 over who was truly in 00:16:15.960 --> 00:16:17.319 and believed 00:16:17.319 --> 00:16:18.879 and who was not. 00:16:18.879 --> 00:16:20.740 perhaps a way 00:16:20.740 --> 00:16:21.919 to protect the church 00:16:21.919 --> 00:16:22.720 from people 00:16:22.720 --> 00:16:23.820 who were pretenders 00:16:23.820 --> 00:16:25.639 and insincere. 00:16:27.419 --> 00:16:28.779 And this does seem 00:16:28.779 --> 00:16:29.460 to fit a little 00:16:29.460 --> 00:16:30.179 with what we see 00:16:30.179 --> 00:16:31.100 in the book of Acts 00:16:31.100 --> 00:16:32.580 with Ananias and Sapphira. 00:16:33.899 --> 00:16:35.159 They are struck down 00:16:35.159 --> 00:16:36.500 for lying to the apostles 00:16:36.500 --> 00:16:39.460 because lying to the apostles, 00:16:39.679 --> 00:16:40.919 as we read in that story, 00:16:41.439 --> 00:16:43.340 with the unique role 00:16:43.340 --> 00:16:44.419 that God had given them, 00:16:44.480 --> 00:16:45.340 was tantamount 00:16:45.340 --> 00:16:46.779 to lying to God 00:16:46.779 --> 00:16:49.079 since they were the ones 00:16:49.079 --> 00:16:50.039 He had sent. 00:16:52.179 --> 00:16:53.439 And so Peter seems to, 00:16:53.799 --> 00:16:54.620 on that occasion, 00:16:54.799 --> 00:16:55.679 pronounce judgment 00:16:55.679 --> 00:16:57.839 and Sapphira drops dead. 00:17:01.419 --> 00:17:04.000 So that's one possibility 00:17:04.000 --> 00:17:05.940 for what that means. 00:17:07.240 --> 00:17:09.440 Another of the well-debated things 00:17:09.440 --> 00:17:10.399 that Jesus said. 00:17:11.480 --> 00:17:13.119 But then there's this other thing 00:17:13.119 --> 00:17:13.799 that has caused 00:17:13.799 --> 00:17:15.039 quite a lot of head-scratching 00:17:15.039 --> 00:17:15.599 as well. 00:17:16.859 --> 00:17:17.700 John tells how 00:17:17.700 --> 00:17:18.960 on this evening 00:17:18.960 --> 00:17:20.379 that Jesus rose from the dead, 00:17:21.500 --> 00:17:22.339 he says that Jesus 00:17:22.339 --> 00:17:23.319 breathed on them 00:17:23.319 --> 00:17:24.359 and said, 00:17:24.899 --> 00:17:26.659 receive the Holy Spirit. 00:17:28.059 --> 00:17:29.299 Now if that other thing 00:17:29.299 --> 00:17:30.000 Jesus said 00:17:30.000 --> 00:17:31.680 didn't turn us upside down, 00:17:31.740 --> 00:17:32.899 well this certainly does. 00:17:34.460 --> 00:17:35.539 How come Jesus 00:17:35.539 --> 00:17:36.500 seems to give 00:17:36.500 --> 00:17:37.379 the Holy Spirit 00:17:37.379 --> 00:17:37.960 to them 00:17:37.960 --> 00:17:40.039 before the day of Pentecost? 00:17:41.539 --> 00:17:42.639 According to John. 00:17:42.640 --> 00:17:43.920 I mean, 00:17:43.980 --> 00:17:44.860 the day of Pentecost 00:17:44.860 --> 00:17:46.880 happens over 40 days 00:17:46.880 --> 00:17:48.080 after this. 00:17:49.720 --> 00:17:51.040 And it's that day 00:17:51.040 --> 00:17:51.600 that we read 00:17:51.600 --> 00:17:52.380 in the book of Acts 00:17:52.380 --> 00:17:52.840 that God 00:17:52.840 --> 00:17:54.520 pours out His Spirit 00:17:54.520 --> 00:17:55.800 on His apostles. 00:17:57.100 --> 00:17:58.080 So naturally, 00:17:58.240 --> 00:17:58.960 some point to this 00:17:58.960 --> 00:17:59.220 and say, 00:17:59.300 --> 00:17:59.620 well look, 00:17:59.740 --> 00:18:01.640 there's a contradiction there. 00:18:02.340 --> 00:18:03.100 John didn't have 00:18:03.100 --> 00:18:04.060 his story straight. 00:18:04.700 --> 00:18:05.740 Or maybe it was Luke 00:18:05.740 --> 00:18:06.759 who didn't have 00:18:06.759 --> 00:18:07.600 his story straight. 00:18:08.540 --> 00:18:09.320 John says, 00:18:09.319 --> 00:18:09.859 they received 00:18:09.859 --> 00:18:10.679 the Holy Spirit 00:18:10.679 --> 00:18:12.240 from Jesus directly 00:18:12.240 --> 00:18:13.159 the day that Jesus 00:18:13.159 --> 00:18:14.159 rose from the dead. 00:18:15.099 --> 00:18:16.179 While Luke says 00:18:16.179 --> 00:18:16.899 it was more than 00:18:16.899 --> 00:18:17.919 40 days later. 00:18:20.599 --> 00:18:21.919 What do we do with this? 00:18:23.679 --> 00:18:24.460 And there's been 00:18:24.460 --> 00:18:25.720 no shortage of ideas 00:18:25.720 --> 00:18:26.720 put forward here. 00:18:27.159 --> 00:18:28.220 But most of them 00:18:28.220 --> 00:18:29.779 boil down to one of these 00:18:29.779 --> 00:18:31.379 three explanations. 00:18:33.259 --> 00:18:33.740 First, 00:18:34.359 --> 00:18:35.240 some argue 00:18:35.240 --> 00:18:36.619 that there was only 00:18:36.619 --> 00:18:37.839 one moment 00:18:37.839 --> 00:18:38.599 in which Jesus 00:18:38.599 --> 00:18:39.559 gave His Spirit. 00:18:40.319 --> 00:18:40.799 And somehow, 00:18:41.019 --> 00:18:41.759 this thing 00:18:41.759 --> 00:18:43.059 that John is describing 00:18:43.059 --> 00:18:43.439 here 00:18:43.439 --> 00:18:45.239 is the same thing 00:18:45.239 --> 00:18:46.379 that Luke described 00:18:46.379 --> 00:18:47.859 in Acts chapter 2. 00:18:48.939 --> 00:18:49.979 And what do we do 00:18:49.979 --> 00:18:51.979 with that 40-day gap 00:18:51.979 --> 00:18:52.819 between the two? 00:18:52.979 --> 00:18:53.159 Well, 00:18:53.699 --> 00:18:54.859 perhaps they say 00:18:54.859 --> 00:18:55.779 John is letting 00:18:55.779 --> 00:18:56.739 the theology 00:18:56.739 --> 00:18:58.699 control his narrative 00:18:58.699 --> 00:18:59.359 more than 00:18:59.359 --> 00:19:00.500 the chronology. 00:19:01.899 --> 00:19:02.899 I'll be honest, 00:19:03.019 --> 00:19:04.259 I just can't accept 00:19:04.259 --> 00:19:04.919 that view 00:19:04.919 --> 00:19:05.679 of Scripture. 00:19:05.680 --> 00:19:07.279 That seems to undermine 00:19:07.279 --> 00:19:08.779 its truthfulness 00:19:08.779 --> 00:19:10.200 in my opinion. 00:19:12.160 --> 00:19:12.799 Second, 00:19:13.200 --> 00:19:14.000 some argue 00:19:14.000 --> 00:19:14.600 that this was 00:19:14.600 --> 00:19:15.519 not a moment 00:19:15.519 --> 00:19:16.200 in which Jesus 00:19:16.200 --> 00:19:17.299 actually gave 00:19:17.299 --> 00:19:18.299 the Holy Spirit. 00:19:19.380 --> 00:19:20.460 Some suggest 00:19:20.460 --> 00:19:21.480 that He is just 00:19:21.480 --> 00:19:22.660 giving them a promise 00:19:22.660 --> 00:19:24.100 or a command 00:19:24.100 --> 00:19:25.519 about the Spirit 00:19:25.519 --> 00:19:27.620 in anticipation 00:19:27.620 --> 00:19:29.720 of the coming 00:19:29.720 --> 00:19:30.500 of the Spirit 00:19:30.500 --> 00:19:31.380 which won't happen 00:19:31.380 --> 00:19:32.420 until Pentecost. 00:19:32.420 --> 00:19:35.519 Jesus did speak 00:19:35.519 --> 00:19:37.460 in ways 00:19:37.460 --> 00:19:37.860 that 00:19:37.860 --> 00:19:40.820 seemed to 00:19:40.820 --> 00:19:44.380 give us a sense 00:19:44.380 --> 00:19:45.380 that time 00:19:45.380 --> 00:19:46.600 was not the way 00:19:46.600 --> 00:19:47.900 that we would expect it. 00:19:48.900 --> 00:19:49.340 You know, 00:19:49.420 --> 00:19:50.779 my hour has come. 00:19:51.560 --> 00:19:51.880 Like, 00:19:51.940 --> 00:19:52.860 it's here right now 00:19:52.860 --> 00:19:53.380 but then 00:19:53.380 --> 00:19:54.600 referring to 00:19:54.600 --> 00:19:55.420 what? 00:19:55.539 --> 00:19:56.300 Referring to something 00:19:56.300 --> 00:19:57.240 that's about to happen 00:19:57.240 --> 00:19:58.300 a week later. 00:19:58.299 --> 00:20:01.579 He spoke about 00:20:01.579 --> 00:20:02.279 His departure 00:20:02.279 --> 00:20:02.919 is imminent 00:20:02.919 --> 00:20:03.500 even though 00:20:03.500 --> 00:20:04.099 there are yet, 00:20:04.359 --> 00:20:05.419 there was still a week 00:20:05.419 --> 00:20:06.700 and yet 40 days 00:20:06.700 --> 00:20:07.839 before He would actually 00:20:07.839 --> 00:20:08.960 go 00:20:08.960 --> 00:20:11.139 to the Father 00:20:11.139 --> 00:20:13.619 to stay. 00:20:13.619 --> 00:20:18.819 And so maybe 00:20:18.819 --> 00:20:19.319 that's what's 00:20:19.319 --> 00:20:20.039 happening here. 00:20:21.699 --> 00:20:22.599 Maybe this 00:20:22.599 --> 00:20:23.599 is a giving 00:20:23.599 --> 00:20:24.599 that starts now 00:20:24.599 --> 00:20:25.819 with Jesus' words 00:20:25.819 --> 00:20:26.899 and ends 00:20:26.899 --> 00:20:27.719 with what happens 00:20:27.719 --> 00:20:28.419 at Pentecost 00:20:28.419 --> 00:20:29.019 when the Spirit 00:20:29.019 --> 00:20:29.739 comes down. 00:20:29.839 --> 00:20:30.839 That's another view. 00:20:31.339 --> 00:20:31.599 Or, 00:20:31.779 --> 00:20:32.539 perhaps Jesus 00:20:32.539 --> 00:20:33.779 isn't giving the Spirit 00:20:33.779 --> 00:20:34.959 but somehow 00:20:34.959 --> 00:20:35.979 He's preparing them 00:20:35.979 --> 00:20:37.239 to receive the Spirit 00:20:37.239 --> 00:20:38.619 by breathing on them 00:20:38.619 --> 00:20:39.439 and then 00:20:39.439 --> 00:20:40.799 commanding them 00:20:40.799 --> 00:20:42.339 to receive the Spirit 00:20:42.339 --> 00:20:44.119 at that later time 00:20:44.119 --> 00:20:45.459 when He sinned. 00:20:46.599 --> 00:20:48.199 Certainly a respectable view 00:20:48.199 --> 00:20:50.359 but I'm not quite sure 00:20:50.359 --> 00:20:50.839 about it. 00:20:52.139 --> 00:20:52.639 Finally, 00:20:52.779 --> 00:20:53.539 the third option 00:20:53.539 --> 00:20:55.139 that people argue for 00:20:55.139 --> 00:20:56.599 and this is the one 00:20:56.599 --> 00:20:56.980 that I 00:20:56.980 --> 00:20:59.099 think makes 00:20:59.099 --> 00:20:59.919 the most sense 00:20:59.919 --> 00:21:01.919 is that there were 00:21:01.919 --> 00:21:03.079 two givings 00:21:03.079 --> 00:21:04.179 of the Holy Spirit. 00:21:05.599 --> 00:21:06.399 And now there are 00:21:06.399 --> 00:21:07.159 different ideas 00:21:07.159 --> 00:21:08.000 about why there were 00:21:08.000 --> 00:21:08.699 two givings. 00:21:09.279 --> 00:21:09.659 Was it 00:21:09.659 --> 00:21:10.819 that the first 00:21:10.819 --> 00:21:11.480 was somehow 00:21:11.480 --> 00:21:12.199 a lesser 00:21:12.200 --> 00:21:13.160 giving 00:21:13.160 --> 00:21:13.880 and the second 00:21:13.880 --> 00:21:14.779 a fuller giving? 00:21:15.259 --> 00:21:15.620 Was it 00:21:15.620 --> 00:21:16.380 that the first 00:21:16.380 --> 00:21:16.880 was about 00:21:16.880 --> 00:21:17.620 them receiving 00:21:17.620 --> 00:21:18.840 apostolic power 00:21:18.840 --> 00:21:19.799 and authority 00:21:19.799 --> 00:21:20.500 and the second 00:21:20.500 --> 00:21:21.900 about them receiving 00:21:21.900 --> 00:21:22.819 new life 00:21:22.819 --> 00:21:23.640 and the new birth? 00:21:24.039 --> 00:21:24.440 Or, 00:21:24.600 --> 00:21:26.240 was it the other way around? 00:21:28.319 --> 00:21:29.220 Now this third view 00:21:29.220 --> 00:21:30.240 I think is the most 00:21:30.240 --> 00:21:30.720 compelling 00:21:30.720 --> 00:21:32.319 but I don't know 00:21:32.319 --> 00:21:33.039 this for sure. 00:21:35.340 --> 00:21:36.180 Perhaps it was 00:21:36.180 --> 00:21:36.720 this evening 00:21:36.720 --> 00:21:37.480 that at least 00:21:37.480 --> 00:21:38.380 some of the disciples 00:21:38.380 --> 00:21:39.660 first received 00:21:39.660 --> 00:21:40.539 the Holy Spirit 00:21:40.539 --> 00:21:41.720 to live in them 00:21:41.720 --> 00:21:43.879 the night 00:21:43.879 --> 00:21:44.460 that they were 00:21:44.460 --> 00:21:45.420 born again 00:21:45.420 --> 00:21:46.460 by the Spirit 00:21:46.460 --> 00:21:47.500 as Jesus 00:21:47.500 --> 00:21:48.220 described to 00:21:48.220 --> 00:21:48.879 Nicodemus. 00:21:49.819 --> 00:21:50.960 We do see 00:21:50.960 --> 00:21:52.359 in this Gospel 00:21:52.359 --> 00:21:52.839 of John 00:21:52.839 --> 00:21:53.899 an emphasis 00:21:53.899 --> 00:21:55.200 on this 00:21:55.200 --> 00:21:56.119 that 00:21:56.119 --> 00:21:57.859 belief 00:21:57.859 --> 00:21:58.680 goes with 00:21:58.680 --> 00:21:59.519 the new birth. 00:22:00.700 --> 00:22:01.359 We heard that 00:22:01.359 --> 00:22:02.119 back at the beginning 00:22:02.119 --> 00:22:03.339 of John's Gospel. 00:22:03.559 --> 00:22:04.039 Yet to all 00:22:04.039 --> 00:22:04.859 who received him 00:22:04.859 --> 00:22:05.500 to those who 00:22:05.500 --> 00:22:06.879 believed in his name 00:22:06.879 --> 00:22:08.299 he gave the right 00:22:08.299 --> 00:22:08.759 to become 00:22:08.759 --> 00:22:10.379 children of God 00:22:10.379 --> 00:22:11.339 children born 00:22:11.339 --> 00:22:12.099 of God. 00:22:14.259 --> 00:22:15.659 So this is probably 00:22:15.659 --> 00:22:16.200 the moment 00:22:16.200 --> 00:22:16.779 in the story 00:22:16.779 --> 00:22:17.579 when many of the 00:22:17.579 --> 00:22:18.599 disciples first 00:22:18.599 --> 00:22:19.279 believed 00:22:19.279 --> 00:22:20.419 that Jesus 00:22:20.419 --> 00:22:21.919 rose from the dead. 00:22:22.700 --> 00:22:23.440 The moment 00:22:23.440 --> 00:22:24.200 they first knew 00:22:24.200 --> 00:22:24.980 beyond the shadow 00:22:24.980 --> 00:22:25.559 of a doubt 00:22:25.559 --> 00:22:26.799 that he was 00:22:26.799 --> 00:22:27.859 who he said he was. 00:22:28.859 --> 00:22:29.720 According to that 00:22:29.720 --> 00:22:30.759 kind of an understanding 00:22:30.759 --> 00:22:31.619 or view of this 00:22:31.619 --> 00:22:32.480 then what happens 00:22:32.480 --> 00:22:33.500 40 days later 00:22:33.500 --> 00:22:34.480 would be a second 00:22:34.480 --> 00:22:35.599 different encounter 00:22:35.599 --> 00:22:37.659 with God's spirit 00:22:37.659 --> 00:22:38.139 where God 00:22:38.139 --> 00:22:39.359 pours out his spirit 00:22:39.359 --> 00:22:40.539 for empowering 00:22:40.539 --> 00:22:41.859 and for the work 00:22:41.859 --> 00:22:43.379 of being apostles 00:22:43.379 --> 00:22:44.500 and proclaiming 00:22:44.500 --> 00:22:45.000 the news 00:22:45.000 --> 00:22:45.679 and you see 00:22:45.679 --> 00:22:46.619 those manifestations 00:22:46.619 --> 00:22:47.639 like tongues 00:22:47.639 --> 00:22:48.299 and speaking 00:22:48.299 --> 00:22:49.199 in other languages 00:22:49.199 --> 00:22:50.899 the gifting required 00:22:50.899 --> 00:22:52.179 for that apostolic work. 00:22:53.980 --> 00:22:54.899 I think it has 00:22:54.899 --> 00:22:55.919 the most going for it 00:22:55.919 --> 00:22:56.459 that view 00:22:56.459 --> 00:22:57.099 but again 00:22:57.099 --> 00:22:58.139 I don't know for sure 00:22:58.139 --> 00:23:00.839 whatever conclusion 00:23:00.839 --> 00:23:01.480 we come to 00:23:01.480 --> 00:23:02.240 it has to fit 00:23:02.240 --> 00:23:02.899 with the reality 00:23:02.899 --> 00:23:03.439 that we're about 00:23:03.439 --> 00:23:04.179 to see here 00:23:04.180 --> 00:23:08.259 that one of the disciples 00:23:08.259 --> 00:23:10.220 one of the apostles 00:23:10.220 --> 00:23:11.660 was actually not here 00:23:11.660 --> 00:23:12.519 in the room 00:23:12.519 --> 00:23:14.180 at this moment 00:23:14.180 --> 00:23:15.900 when Jesus appeared 00:23:15.900 --> 00:23:17.680 and gave his spirit. 00:23:18.440 --> 00:23:19.560 Verse 24 00:23:19.560 --> 00:23:21.779 Now Thomas 00:23:21.779 --> 00:23:23.500 also known as Didymus 00:23:23.500 --> 00:23:24.799 one of the twelve 00:23:24.799 --> 00:23:26.100 was not with the disciples 00:23:26.100 --> 00:23:27.160 when Jesus came 00:23:27.160 --> 00:23:29.560 so the other disciples 00:23:29.560 --> 00:23:30.299 told him 00:23:30.299 --> 00:23:32.600 we have seen the Lord 00:23:32.599 --> 00:23:34.619 but he said to them 00:23:34.619 --> 00:23:36.379 unless I see 00:23:36.379 --> 00:23:37.439 the nail marks 00:23:37.439 --> 00:23:38.279 in his hands 00:23:38.279 --> 00:23:39.179 and put my finger 00:23:39.179 --> 00:23:40.240 where the nails were 00:23:40.240 --> 00:23:41.579 and put my hand 00:23:41.579 --> 00:23:42.339 into his side 00:23:42.339 --> 00:23:44.259 I will not believe. 00:23:46.659 --> 00:23:47.639 So kind of like 00:23:47.639 --> 00:23:48.679 Mary Magdalene 00:23:48.679 --> 00:23:49.539 seemed to miss out 00:23:49.539 --> 00:23:50.579 on the first appearance 00:23:50.579 --> 00:23:51.339 of Jesus 00:23:51.339 --> 00:23:52.000 to the women 00:23:52.000 --> 00:23:54.199 now we hear 00:23:54.199 --> 00:23:54.859 that Thomas 00:23:54.859 --> 00:23:56.059 misses out 00:23:56.059 --> 00:23:57.859 on this big moment 00:23:57.859 --> 00:23:58.480 that evening. 00:23:58.859 --> 00:23:59.379 Can you imagine 00:23:59.379 --> 00:24:00.219 this for Thomas? 00:24:00.220 --> 00:24:01.420 put yourself 00:24:01.420 --> 00:24:02.220 in his shoes 00:24:02.220 --> 00:24:03.500 as much as you can 00:24:03.500 --> 00:24:04.120 for a second 00:24:04.120 --> 00:24:06.220 like man 00:24:06.220 --> 00:24:08.339 all my friends 00:24:08.339 --> 00:24:09.660 are going crazy 00:24:09.660 --> 00:24:12.220 they're out of their minds 00:24:12.220 --> 00:24:13.620 first it was the women 00:24:13.620 --> 00:24:15.819 claiming to see angels 00:24:15.819 --> 00:24:18.259 and that Jesus is alive 00:24:18.259 --> 00:24:20.740 then it was Mary Magdalene 00:24:20.740 --> 00:24:21.740 and then now Peter 00:24:21.740 --> 00:24:22.819 and now Cleopas 00:24:22.819 --> 00:24:26.440 and Thomas it seems 00:24:26.440 --> 00:24:27.620 just wasn't buying it. 00:24:27.619 --> 00:24:29.439 you've got to be kidding me 00:24:29.439 --> 00:24:31.839 risen from the dead? 00:24:35.479 --> 00:24:36.699 It doesn't happen 00:24:36.699 --> 00:24:38.619 very rare 00:24:38.619 --> 00:24:40.199 in the Old Testament 00:24:40.199 --> 00:24:42.259 wouldn't it be great 00:24:42.259 --> 00:24:43.099 if it was true? 00:24:44.899 --> 00:24:46.139 And now can you imagine 00:24:46.139 --> 00:24:47.139 how Thomas is feeling 00:24:47.139 --> 00:24:48.359 when all ten 00:24:48.359 --> 00:24:49.639 of the other disciples 00:24:49.639 --> 00:24:51.099 are now claiming 00:24:51.099 --> 00:24:52.319 to have seen Jesus 00:24:52.319 --> 00:24:54.099 how convenient 00:24:54.099 --> 00:24:55.399 right after Thomas 00:24:55.400 --> 00:24:56.160 left the room 00:24:56.160 --> 00:24:57.660 because it seems 00:24:57.660 --> 00:24:58.500 he was there earlier 00:24:58.500 --> 00:24:59.380 according to Luke 00:24:59.380 --> 00:25:02.900 but Thomas wasn't there 00:25:02.900 --> 00:25:04.880 he hadn't seen it 00:25:04.880 --> 00:25:07.420 Thomas makes it clear 00:25:07.420 --> 00:25:08.700 I can't believe it 00:25:08.700 --> 00:25:09.960 I just can't believe it 00:25:09.960 --> 00:25:11.620 unless I see 00:25:11.620 --> 00:25:12.700 the nail marks 00:25:12.700 --> 00:25:13.280 in his hands 00:25:13.280 --> 00:25:13.920 for myself 00:25:13.920 --> 00:25:15.420 unless I put my finger 00:25:15.420 --> 00:25:16.500 in that spot 00:25:16.500 --> 00:25:17.580 where the nail was 00:25:17.580 --> 00:25:18.880 put my hand 00:25:18.880 --> 00:25:19.680 into his side 00:25:19.680 --> 00:25:21.660 I will not believe it 00:25:21.660 --> 00:25:25.460 you've got to wonder 00:25:25.460 --> 00:25:26.320 what was going on 00:25:26.320 --> 00:25:27.300 in Thomas' mind 00:25:27.300 --> 00:25:28.500 in his heart 00:25:28.500 --> 00:25:30.700 was it deep 00:25:30.700 --> 00:25:31.779 anguish 00:25:31.779 --> 00:25:32.519 and grief 00:25:32.519 --> 00:25:34.380 and man 00:25:34.380 --> 00:25:34.900 I just 00:25:34.900 --> 00:25:36.759 if this isn't real 00:25:36.759 --> 00:25:38.220 I just can't get on 00:25:38.220 --> 00:25:38.980 that emotional 00:25:38.980 --> 00:25:39.779 roller coaster 00:25:39.779 --> 00:25:40.840 and go 00:25:40.840 --> 00:25:42.080 and all to find out 00:25:42.080 --> 00:25:43.220 it's just a disappointment 00:25:43.220 --> 00:25:44.180 it didn't happen 00:25:44.180 --> 00:25:46.040 or was there 00:25:46.040 --> 00:25:46.700 some kind of 00:25:46.700 --> 00:25:47.880 deeply embedded 00:25:47.880 --> 00:25:49.000 nagging 00:25:49.000 --> 00:25:50.100 skepticism 00:25:50.099 --> 00:25:50.859 that just 00:25:50.859 --> 00:25:52.159 was rising up 00:25:52.159 --> 00:25:52.859 in his heart 00:25:52.859 --> 00:25:55.179 or was it a combination 00:25:55.179 --> 00:25:58.019 unless 00:25:58.019 --> 00:25:58.879 I 00:25:58.879 --> 00:25:59.779 see 00:25:59.779 --> 00:26:01.119 the nail marks 00:26:01.119 --> 00:26:02.119 in his hands 00:26:02.119 --> 00:26:03.899 and put my finger 00:26:03.899 --> 00:26:04.779 where the nails were 00:26:04.779 --> 00:26:05.619 put my hand 00:26:05.619 --> 00:26:06.459 into his side 00:26:06.459 --> 00:26:08.139 I will not believe 00:26:08.139 --> 00:26:11.500 notice that 00:26:11.500 --> 00:26:12.159 for Thomas 00:26:12.159 --> 00:26:14.299 there is something 00:26:14.299 --> 00:26:15.319 that will prove it 00:26:15.319 --> 00:26:15.980 beyond the shadow 00:26:15.980 --> 00:26:16.500 of a doubt 00:26:16.500 --> 00:26:17.059 for him 00:26:17.059 --> 00:26:18.559 and again 00:26:18.559 --> 00:26:19.279 it has to do 00:26:19.279 --> 00:26:20.279 with the nail marks 00:26:20.279 --> 00:26:22.240 it has to do 00:26:22.240 --> 00:26:23.399 with the spear mark 00:26:23.399 --> 00:26:24.480 Thomas is saying 00:26:24.480 --> 00:26:25.119 something here 00:26:25.119 --> 00:26:25.879 he too 00:26:25.879 --> 00:26:27.200 was an eyewitness 00:26:27.200 --> 00:26:28.819 of Jesus' crucifixion 00:26:28.819 --> 00:26:31.039 he saw the nails 00:26:31.039 --> 00:26:32.799 pounded in 00:26:32.799 --> 00:26:34.639 he watched 00:26:34.639 --> 00:26:35.420 as the spear 00:26:35.420 --> 00:26:36.000 was thrust 00:26:36.000 --> 00:26:37.180 into Jesus' body 00:26:37.180 --> 00:26:39.839 whatever these guys 00:26:39.839 --> 00:26:40.819 saw the other night 00:26:40.819 --> 00:26:42.440 maybe it was 00:26:42.440 --> 00:26:42.940 someone else 00:26:42.940 --> 00:26:43.920 pretending to be 00:26:43.920 --> 00:26:44.639 Jesus 00:26:44.639 --> 00:26:45.779 a lookalike 00:26:45.779 --> 00:26:46.460 or something 00:26:46.460 --> 00:26:47.160 I don't know 00:26:47.160 --> 00:26:48.180 but for me 00:26:48.180 --> 00:26:48.740 the proof 00:26:48.740 --> 00:26:49.420 that it really 00:26:49.420 --> 00:26:50.620 is him 00:26:50.620 --> 00:26:51.720 risen from the dead 00:26:51.720 --> 00:26:52.900 will be if he has 00:26:52.900 --> 00:26:53.519 the scars 00:26:53.519 --> 00:26:55.200 in all the right places 00:26:55.200 --> 00:26:56.660 and if I can 00:26:56.660 --> 00:26:57.380 touch them 00:26:57.380 --> 00:26:58.560 and feel it 00:26:58.560 --> 00:26:59.100 and see it 00:26:59.100 --> 00:26:59.740 for myself 00:26:59.740 --> 00:27:03.440 and if I don't 00:27:03.440 --> 00:27:04.560 I will not 00:27:04.560 --> 00:27:05.640 go along with this 00:27:05.640 --> 00:27:09.640 verse 26 00:27:09.640 --> 00:27:11.240 a week later 00:27:11.240 --> 00:27:12.500 his disciples 00:27:12.500 --> 00:27:13.500 were in the house 00:27:13.500 --> 00:27:13.940 again 00:27:13.940 --> 00:27:15.500 and Thomas 00:27:15.500 --> 00:27:16.299 was with them 00:27:16.299 --> 00:27:17.900 though the doors 00:27:17.900 --> 00:27:19.400 were locked 00:27:19.400 --> 00:27:21.120 Jesus came 00:27:21.120 --> 00:27:21.960 and stood 00:27:21.960 --> 00:27:22.680 among them 00:27:22.680 --> 00:27:23.539 and said 00:27:23.539 --> 00:27:24.400 peace 00:27:24.400 --> 00:27:25.640 be with you 00:27:25.640 --> 00:27:27.900 exactly 00:27:27.900 --> 00:27:28.799 one week later 00:27:28.799 --> 00:27:29.580 Jesus appears 00:27:29.580 --> 00:27:30.539 to them all again 00:27:30.539 --> 00:27:31.880 and this time 00:27:31.880 --> 00:27:32.779 Thomas is there 00:27:32.779 --> 00:27:34.299 Jesus gives 00:27:34.299 --> 00:27:35.019 the same greeting 00:27:35.019 --> 00:27:35.799 as last time 00:27:35.799 --> 00:27:36.860 peace be with you 00:27:36.860 --> 00:27:40.519 and then he turns 00:27:40.519 --> 00:27:41.059 and speaks 00:27:41.059 --> 00:27:41.799 directly 00:27:41.799 --> 00:27:42.919 to Thomas 00:27:42.919 --> 00:27:46.960 put your finger 00:27:46.960 --> 00:27:47.940 here 00:27:47.940 --> 00:27:50.119 see 00:27:50.119 --> 00:27:51.159 my hands 00:27:51.159 --> 00:27:53.359 reach out 00:27:53.359 --> 00:27:53.899 your hand 00:27:53.899 --> 00:27:55.019 and put it 00:27:55.019 --> 00:27:56.180 into my side 00:27:56.180 --> 00:27:58.639 stop 00:27:58.639 --> 00:27:59.480 doubting 00:27:59.480 --> 00:28:01.299 and believe 00:28:01.299 --> 00:28:07.680 Thomas said 00:28:07.680 --> 00:28:08.019 to him 00:28:08.019 --> 00:28:10.039 my Lord 00:28:10.039 --> 00:28:11.480 and my God 00:28:11.480 --> 00:28:16.700 then Jesus 00:28:16.700 --> 00:28:17.359 told him 00:28:17.359 --> 00:28:19.519 because you 00:28:19.519 --> 00:28:20.339 have seen me 00:28:20.339 --> 00:28:21.639 you have 00:28:21.639 --> 00:28:22.180 believed 00:28:22.180 --> 00:28:24.000 blessed 00:28:24.000 --> 00:28:24.720 are those 00:28:24.720 --> 00:28:25.279 who have 00:28:25.279 --> 00:28:26.000 not seen 00:28:26.000 --> 00:28:27.200 and yet 00:28:27.200 --> 00:28:27.920 have believed 00:28:27.920 --> 00:28:31.940 when someone 00:28:31.940 --> 00:28:32.440 is deeply 00:28:32.440 --> 00:28:33.059 skeptical 00:28:33.059 --> 00:28:34.460 how you 00:28:34.460 --> 00:28:35.039 change their 00:28:35.039 --> 00:28:35.400 mind 00:28:35.400 --> 00:28:37.460 how do you 00:28:37.460 --> 00:28:37.800 get them 00:28:37.800 --> 00:28:38.120 to see 00:28:38.120 --> 00:28:38.640 the truth 00:28:38.640 --> 00:28:38.980 that you 00:28:38.980 --> 00:28:39.420 know 00:28:39.420 --> 00:28:42.759 some of us 00:28:42.759 --> 00:28:42.980 know 00:28:42.980 --> 00:28:43.360 from our 00:28:43.360 --> 00:28:43.960 conversations 00:28:43.960 --> 00:28:45.400 with people 00:28:45.400 --> 00:28:46.620 that sometimes 00:28:46.620 --> 00:28:47.380 it takes 00:28:47.380 --> 00:28:47.960 a miracle 00:28:47.960 --> 00:28:50.080 and that's 00:28:50.080 --> 00:28:50.380 what makes 00:28:50.380 --> 00:28:51.000 this eyewitness 00:28:51.000 --> 00:28:51.519 moment 00:28:51.519 --> 00:28:52.720 for Thomas 00:28:52.720 --> 00:28:54.340 so compelling 00:28:54.340 --> 00:28:55.120 what could 00:28:55.120 --> 00:28:56.220 possibly take 00:28:56.220 --> 00:28:56.780 Thomas 00:28:56.780 --> 00:28:57.759 from doubting 00:28:57.759 --> 00:28:58.400 so deeply 00:28:58.400 --> 00:28:58.840 that even 00:28:58.840 --> 00:28:59.380 though ten 00:28:59.380 --> 00:29:00.060 of his best 00:29:00.060 --> 00:29:00.560 friends 00:29:00.560 --> 00:29:01.340 and a bunch 00:29:01.340 --> 00:29:01.820 of others 00:29:01.820 --> 00:29:02.620 are saying 00:29:02.620 --> 00:29:03.360 Jesus is 00:29:03.360 --> 00:29:03.840 alive 00:29:03.839 --> 00:29:05.339 I'm telling 00:29:05.339 --> 00:29:05.559 you 00:29:05.559 --> 00:29:06.059 we saw 00:29:06.059 --> 00:29:06.399 him 00:29:06.399 --> 00:29:06.779 the other 00:29:06.779 --> 00:29:07.199 night 00:29:07.199 --> 00:29:08.779 what could 00:29:08.779 --> 00:29:09.220 take him 00:29:09.220 --> 00:29:09.859 from doubting 00:29:09.859 --> 00:29:10.399 that so 00:29:10.399 --> 00:29:10.839 deeply 00:29:10.839 --> 00:29:11.539 to now 00:29:11.539 --> 00:29:11.919 saying 00:29:11.919 --> 00:29:12.959 my Lord 00:29:12.959 --> 00:29:13.779 and my 00:29:13.779 --> 00:29:14.399 God 00:29:14.399 --> 00:29:17.779 Jesus 00:29:17.779 --> 00:29:18.419 changed 00:29:18.419 --> 00:29:19.119 his heart 00:29:19.119 --> 00:29:20.099 and his 00:29:20.099 --> 00:29:20.519 mind 00:29:20.519 --> 00:29:21.119 in an 00:29:21.119 --> 00:29:21.599 instant 00:29:21.599 --> 00:29:23.919 he appeared 00:29:23.919 --> 00:29:26.459 and if his 00:29:26.459 --> 00:29:26.919 appearance 00:29:26.919 --> 00:29:27.379 alone 00:29:27.379 --> 00:29:27.779 with the 00:29:27.779 --> 00:29:28.579 doors locked 00:29:28.579 --> 00:29:29.000 wasn't 00:29:29.000 --> 00:29:29.480 enough 00:29:29.480 --> 00:29:31.059 it was 00:29:31.059 --> 00:29:31.720 what Jesus 00:29:31.720 --> 00:29:32.720 said to 00:29:32.720 --> 00:29:33.200 Thomas 00:29:33.200 --> 00:29:34.220 when he 00:29:34.220 --> 00:29:34.640 appeared 00:29:34.640 --> 00:29:35.360 it was 00:29:35.360 --> 00:29:35.660 as if 00:29:35.660 --> 00:29:36.120 Jesus 00:29:36.120 --> 00:29:36.620 had heard 00:29:36.620 --> 00:29:37.079 the very 00:29:37.079 --> 00:29:37.519 words 00:29:37.519 --> 00:29:37.880 Thomas 00:29:37.880 --> 00:29:38.240 had been 00:29:38.240 --> 00:29:38.740 saying 00:29:38.740 --> 00:29:39.120 to the 00:29:39.120 --> 00:29:39.339 other 00:29:39.339 --> 00:29:39.819 disciples 00:29:39.819 --> 00:29:40.180 throughout 00:29:40.180 --> 00:29:40.680 the week 00:29:40.680 --> 00:29:42.460 Thomas 00:29:42.460 --> 00:29:42.860 had been 00:29:42.860 --> 00:29:43.279 saying 00:29:43.279 --> 00:29:44.400 unless 00:29:44.400 --> 00:29:45.100 I 00:29:45.100 --> 00:29:45.960 see 00:29:45.960 --> 00:29:47.539 where the 00:29:47.539 --> 00:29:47.799 nails 00:29:47.799 --> 00:29:48.240 went in 00:29:48.240 --> 00:29:48.620 and put 00:29:48.620 --> 00:29:49.259 my finger 00:29:49.259 --> 00:29:49.680 there 00:29:49.680 --> 00:29:50.460 unless 00:29:50.460 --> 00:29:50.819 I 00:29:50.819 --> 00:29:51.700 reach 00:29:51.700 --> 00:29:52.000 into 00:29:52.000 --> 00:29:52.500 and touch 00:29:52.500 --> 00:29:53.220 the side 00:29:53.220 --> 00:29:53.880 where the 00:29:53.880 --> 00:29:54.140 spear 00:29:54.140 --> 00:29:54.559 went in 00:29:54.559 --> 00:29:55.100 I will 00:29:55.100 --> 00:29:55.400 not 00:29:55.400 --> 00:29:55.960 believe 00:29:55.960 --> 00:29:57.799 and it's 00:29:57.799 --> 00:29:58.059 as if 00:29:58.059 --> 00:29:58.360 Jesus 00:29:58.360 --> 00:29:58.640 heard 00:29:58.640 --> 00:29:59.220 every word 00:29:59.220 --> 00:29:59.640 of that 00:29:59.640 --> 00:30:01.640 he knew 00:30:01.640 --> 00:30:02.279 that Thomas 00:30:02.279 --> 00:30:02.799 had said 00:30:02.799 --> 00:30:03.039 it 00:30:03.039 --> 00:30:07.000 and now 00:30:07.000 --> 00:30:07.299 he looks 00:30:07.299 --> 00:30:07.620 Thomas 00:30:07.620 --> 00:30:08.120 straight into 00:30:08.120 --> 00:30:08.480 the eye 00:30:08.480 --> 00:30:09.000 and says 00:30:09.000 --> 00:30:10.740 put your 00:30:10.740 --> 00:30:11.539 finger here 00:30:11.539 --> 00:30:13.279 see 00:30:13.279 --> 00:30:14.819 see 00:30:14.819 --> 00:30:16.940 stop 00:30:16.940 --> 00:30:17.460 doubting 00:30:17.460 --> 00:30:19.720 and believe 00:30:19.720 --> 00:30:22.079 and Thomas 00:30:22.079 --> 00:30:22.819 is so 00:30:22.819 --> 00:30:23.680 floored by 00:30:23.680 --> 00:30:24.160 this 00:30:24.160 --> 00:30:26.039 he bursts 00:30:26.039 --> 00:30:26.519 out in an 00:30:26.519 --> 00:30:27.240 expression of 00:30:27.240 --> 00:30:27.579 worship 00:30:27.579 --> 00:30:28.519 my Lord 00:30:28.519 --> 00:30:29.619 and my 00:30:29.619 --> 00:30:30.199 God 00:30:30.199 --> 00:30:32.619 he owns 00:30:32.619 --> 00:30:33.079 Jesus 00:30:33.079 --> 00:30:33.819 as his 00:30:33.819 --> 00:30:34.359 God 00:30:34.359 --> 00:30:37.799 it wasn't 00:30:37.799 --> 00:30:38.199 just the 00:30:38.199 --> 00:30:38.579 miraculous 00:30:38.579 --> 00:30:39.119 appearance 00:30:39.119 --> 00:30:39.500 at least 00:30:39.500 --> 00:30:39.839 I don't 00:30:39.839 --> 00:30:40.279 think so 00:30:40.279 --> 00:30:40.899 that caused 00:30:40.899 --> 00:30:41.759 this response 00:30:41.759 --> 00:30:42.919 but how 00:30:42.919 --> 00:30:43.460 deeply 00:30:43.460 --> 00:30:44.519 exposed 00:30:44.519 --> 00:30:45.899 Thomas 00:30:45.899 --> 00:30:46.319 felt 00:30:46.319 --> 00:30:47.819 in this 00:30:47.819 --> 00:30:48.159 moment 00:30:48.159 --> 00:30:49.059 it was like 00:30:49.059 --> 00:30:49.379 it just 00:30:49.379 --> 00:30:49.980 hit home 00:30:49.980 --> 00:30:50.539 right there 00:30:50.539 --> 00:30:50.980 Jesus 00:30:50.980 --> 00:30:51.480 knew 00:30:51.480 --> 00:30:52.299 everything 00:30:52.299 --> 00:30:53.460 that Thomas 00:30:53.460 --> 00:30:53.819 had been 00:30:53.819 --> 00:30:54.279 saying 00:30:54.279 --> 00:30:54.639 throughout 00:30:54.639 --> 00:30:55.199 the week 00:30:55.199 --> 00:30:56.579 he knew 00:30:56.579 --> 00:30:57.119 it word 00:30:57.119 --> 00:30:57.819 for word 00:30:57.819 --> 00:30:59.379 as only 00:30:59.379 --> 00:30:59.699 God 00:30:59.699 --> 00:31:00.159 can 00:31:00.159 --> 00:31:02.199 he knew 00:31:02.199 --> 00:31:02.819 Thomas's 00:31:02.819 --> 00:31:03.359 heart 00:31:03.359 --> 00:31:04.759 the doubt 00:31:04.759 --> 00:31:05.139 that was 00:31:05.139 --> 00:31:05.419 in there 00:31:05.419 --> 00:31:06.059 as only 00:31:06.059 --> 00:31:06.399 God 00:31:06.399 --> 00:31:06.879 can 00:31:06.879 --> 00:31:09.460 and so 00:31:09.460 --> 00:31:09.879 Thomas 00:31:09.879 --> 00:31:10.819 acknowledges 00:31:10.819 --> 00:31:11.159 Jesus 00:31:11.159 --> 00:31:11.699 not just 00:31:11.699 --> 00:31:12.319 as Messiah 00:31:12.319 --> 00:31:12.899 not just 00:31:12.899 --> 00:31:13.460 as Lord 00:31:13.460 --> 00:31:14.480 but my 00:31:14.480 --> 00:31:14.960 Lord 00:31:14.960 --> 00:31:15.740 and my 00:31:15.740 --> 00:31:16.759 God 00:31:16.759 --> 00:31:19.319 what a 00:31:19.319 --> 00:31:19.599 sweet 00:31:19.599 --> 00:31:20.079 reunion 00:31:20.079 --> 00:31:21.799 for Thomas 00:31:21.799 --> 00:31:22.799 the 00:31:22.799 --> 00:31:23.259 disciple 00:31:23.259 --> 00:31:24.220 who 00:31:24.220 --> 00:31:24.419 had 00:31:24.419 --> 00:31:24.700 missed 00:31:24.700 --> 00:31:25.000 out 00:31:25.000 --> 00:31:27.460 and 00:31:27.460 --> 00:31:27.659 there's 00:31:27.659 --> 00:31:28.019 a lesson 00:31:28.019 --> 00:31:28.379 in this 00:31:28.379 --> 00:31:28.720 for all 00:31:28.720 --> 00:31:29.039 of us 00:31:29.039 --> 00:31:29.379 Jesus 00:31:29.379 --> 00:31:29.799 brings 00:31:29.799 --> 00:31:30.059 that 00:31:30.059 --> 00:31:30.259 out 00:31:30.259 --> 00:31:30.460 with 00:31:30.460 --> 00:31:30.619 what 00:31:30.619 --> 00:31:30.740 he 00:31:30.740 --> 00:31:31.099 says 00:31:31.099 --> 00:31:31.919 next 00:31:31.919 --> 00:31:33.519 verse 00:31:33.519 --> 00:31:34.559 29 00:31:34.559 --> 00:31:36.619 because 00:31:36.619 --> 00:31:37.240 you have 00:31:37.240 --> 00:31:37.559 seen 00:31:37.559 --> 00:31:37.819 me 00:31:37.819 --> 00:31:39.099 you have 00:31:39.099 --> 00:31:39.619 believed 00:31:39.619 --> 00:31:41.480 blessed 00:31:41.480 --> 00:31:42.259 are those 00:31:42.259 --> 00:31:42.899 who have 00:31:42.899 --> 00:31:43.559 not seen 00:31:43.559 --> 00:31:45.419 and yet 00:31:45.419 --> 00:31:45.659 have 00:31:45.659 --> 00:31:46.180 believed 00:31:46.180 --> 00:31:50.680 as we 00:31:50.680 --> 00:31:51.019 mentioned 00:31:51.019 --> 00:31:51.320 a little 00:31:51.320 --> 00:31:51.519 bit 00:31:51.519 --> 00:31:51.840 last 00:31:51.840 --> 00:31:52.200 Sunday 00:31:52.200 --> 00:31:52.519 for 00:31:52.519 --> 00:31:53.060 Thomas 00:31:53.060 --> 00:31:54.180 seeing 00:31:54.180 --> 00:31:55.220 was 00:31:55.220 --> 00:31:55.880 believing 00:31:55.880 --> 00:31:57.420 it 00:31:57.420 --> 00:31:57.720 took 00:31:57.720 --> 00:31:58.200 seeing 00:31:58.200 --> 00:31:58.779 for him 00:31:58.779 --> 00:31:59.019 to 00:31:59.019 --> 00:31:59.519 believe 00:31:59.519 --> 00:32:01.880 but 00:32:01.880 --> 00:32:02.180 for the 00:32:02.180 --> 00:32:02.420 rest 00:32:02.420 --> 00:32:02.680 of the 00:32:02.680 --> 00:32:03.000 world 00:32:03.000 --> 00:32:03.200 and 00:32:03.200 --> 00:32:03.480 coming 00:32:03.480 --> 00:32:04.080 generations 00:32:04.080 --> 00:32:04.480 who 00:32:04.480 --> 00:32:04.840 didn't 00:32:04.840 --> 00:32:05.279 witness 00:32:05.279 --> 00:32:05.920 firsthand 00:32:05.920 --> 00:32:06.200 the 00:32:06.200 --> 00:32:06.580 coming 00:32:06.580 --> 00:32:07.180 of 00:32:07.180 --> 00:32:07.640 Christ 00:32:07.640 --> 00:32:07.840 and 00:32:07.840 --> 00:32:08.019 the 00:32:08.019 --> 00:32:08.600 resurrection 00:32:08.600 --> 00:32:09.360 of 00:32:09.360 --> 00:32:09.759 Jesus 00:32:09.759 --> 00:32:10.539 for 00:32:10.539 --> 00:32:10.700 the 00:32:10.700 --> 00:32:10.940 rest 00:32:10.940 --> 00:32:11.100 of 00:32:11.100 --> 00:32:11.440 us 00:32:11.440 --> 00:32:13.019 believing 00:32:13.019 --> 00:32:13.680 must 00:32:13.680 --> 00:32:14.200 come 00:32:14.200 --> 00:32:15.700 without 00:32:15.700 --> 00:32:16.160 seeing 00:32:16.160 --> 00:32:18.220 without 00:32:18.220 --> 00:32:18.560 seeing 00:32:18.560 --> 00:32:18.700 it 00:32:18.700 --> 00:32:19.080 firsthand 00:32:19.080 --> 00:32:19.680 anyway 00:32:19.680 --> 00:32:21.820 and 00:32:21.820 --> 00:32:22.120 Jesus 00:32:22.120 --> 00:32:22.540 says 00:32:22.540 --> 00:32:22.840 there's 00:32:22.840 --> 00:32:22.980 a 00:32:22.980 --> 00:32:23.380 special 00:32:23.380 --> 00:32:23.860 blessing 00:32:23.860 --> 00:32:24.100 of 00:32:24.100 --> 00:32:24.460 God 00:32:24.460 --> 00:32:25.680 there is 00:32:25.680 --> 00:32:26.200 favor 00:32:26.200 --> 00:32:27.380 of 00:32:27.380 --> 00:32:27.740 God 00:32:27.740 --> 00:32:28.000 which 00:32:28.000 --> 00:32:28.380 comes 00:32:28.380 --> 00:32:28.560 to 00:32:28.560 --> 00:32:28.860 those 00:32:28.860 --> 00:32:29.040 who 00:32:29.040 --> 00:32:29.400 simply 00:32:29.400 --> 00:32:29.820 take 00:32:29.820 --> 00:32:30.080 him 00:32:30.080 --> 00:32:30.840 at 00:32:30.840 --> 00:32:31.019 his 00:32:31.019 --> 00:32:31.300 word 00:32:31.300 --> 00:32:32.380 and 00:32:32.380 --> 00:32:33.000 believe 00:32:33.000 --> 00:32:34.820 without 00:32:34.820 --> 00:32:35.779 having 00:32:35.779 --> 00:32:36.600 witnessed 00:32:36.600 --> 00:32:37.980 like 00:32:37.980 --> 00:32:38.340 Thomas 00:32:38.340 --> 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00:36:47.779 --> 00:36:47.960 name 00:36:47.960 --> 00:36:48.139 we 00:36:48.139 --> 00:36:48.400 pray 00:36:48.400 --> 00:36:49.799 amen 00:36:49.800 --> 00:36:50.640 amen 00:36:50.639 --> 00:37:20.619 Thank you.