As we read from John chapter 20, during the very first Easter, about a week after Jesus resurrected,
Jesus appeared among his disciples in a house behind a locked door, and he singled out Thomas.
It reads in verse 26 to 27,
A week later, his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them.
Though the door were locked, Thomas called. Jesus came and stood among them and said,
Peace be with you. Then he said to Thomas, Put your finger here. See my hands.
Wish out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.
Why did Jesus single out Thomas? What can we learn from this man?
We had celebrated Good Friday and Easter just about two weeks ago.
I hope you still remember from those sermons of the true meaning of Easter,
how the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ had dealt with the ultimate problem of human,
the human ultimate problem of sin, and given us the hope of being right with God,
being accepted by God as his children once again.
It's easy for us in this modern day to sit around eating our chocolate eggs and point on the meaning of the Easter event.
I don't think it's as easy for those people at the very first Easter.
John chapter 20, 19 tell us that on that day of Jesus' resurrection, that evening,
the disciples were together behind closed doors for fear of the Jews.
They were fearful that they may be next on the list to be crucified,
just like what happened to the teacher Jesus.
They had just lost someone very close to them,
the person they thought may be the promised Messiah that would help them to overturn their government.
Then Jesus came and stood among them and said,
Peace be with you.
And he showed them his hand and his side and gave them their blessing.
I'm sure if we were there, it would be such a mixed feeling.
John in his gospel tells us that the disciples were overjoyed,
but Matthew, Mark, and Luke all tells us that the disciples were still doubting,
filled with unbelief.
Some thought they were seeing ghosts.
However, there was one man that did not experience any of this feeling.
He missed all the commotion.
John tells us in verse 24,
Now Thomas, one of the twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came.
Why wasn't he there?
What would he possibly have gone to?
The Bible didn't tell us that, where he went,
but it tells us that the overjoyed and excited disciples
were trying to convince Thomas that Jesus is alive and had resurrected.
It must be terrible to have missed the chance to see the resurrected Christ,
but it would be worse to be reminded over and over again that he has missed out.
And so Thomas stubbornly replied to the others,
maybe also as a way to shut them up.
He laid down a condition for him to believe.
Unless I see the nail marks in his hands
and put my fingers where the nails were
and put my hand into his side,
I will not believe it.
Jesus singled out Thomas after about a week
to answer this exact request.
He almost repeated what Thomas had said.
Put your finger here, see my hand.
Reach out your hand and put it into my side.
Stop doubting and believe.
Jesus singled out Thomas because he knew what was going on within Thomas.
Jesus wanted to restore Thomas' faith in him and in his resurrection.
It was important for Thomas to stop being an unbeliever
because if one of the twelve apostles had remained a doubter,
it would have cast disbelief on the integrity of other disciples and witnesses
and the ripple effect would have passed down through history.
It was also very important for Thomas to come to terms with what is happening
so he can fulfill Jesus' plan for him and for us.
Let's take a closer look of who Thomas really is
and how Jesus interacts with him.
The method that Jesus used with Thomas is not unusual in his dealing with us
because just like Thomas, we often have questions and doubts.
All four Gospels tell us that Jesus carefully chose his disciples
to come and learn from him,
to bring the good news of the kingdom to everyone.
Thomas was chosen and appointed by the Lord Jesus
to be one of his followers.
They will follow Jesus through all the ups and downs,
through all the glories and shames,
through all the acceptance and rejections.
On many occasions, Jesus had to face the possibility to be stoned to death
for what he claims and preached.
And Thomas was there with Jesus.
And he did not back down or run away.
He stayed right by Jesus' side.
John in chapter 11 tells us that
after Jesus had stayed away from Jerusalem for a while,
words of the health of his friend Lazarus reached Jesus.
And he intended to go back to Judea to see him.
And his disciples replied,
But teacher, a short while ago,
the Jews are there trying to stone you.
And why are you going back?
Thomas was there with Jesus
when Jesus told them that Lazarus was already dead.
In verse 14 to 16, Jesus said,
Lazarus is dead, and for your sake,
I am glad I was not there,
so that you may believe.
But let's go to him.
Then Thomas said to the rest of the disciples,
let's also go that we may die with him.
Thomas is willing to go back to Jerusalem with Jesus,
to die with him there.
He knew perfectly well of the attitude and intention
of the religious leader at that time.
There was every possibility
that they would arrest Jesus and put him to death.
Thomas was concerned about Jesus' death,
but Jesus was more concerned
that his disciples would believe in him.
Jesus said,
I am glad I was not there,
so that you may believe.
Thomas was with Jesus
when Jesus raised Lazarus from death.
He came to Jerusalem to die with Jesus,
and witness the master of death
called the dead man back to life.
Thomas was just as prepared as the other disciples
to believe in the resurrection.
But along with the other disciples,
he never really understood
Jesus was talking about his resurrection
when he said,
I am the resurrection and the life.
Thomas was with Jesus
the night before Jesus' death,
as Jesus prepared his disciples
for his crucifixion.
John chapter 13 to 17 tell us
that Jesus demonstrates his love
for his disciples by washing
and drying their feet.
And with many words,
he encourages them.
Chapter 13, verse 19,
Jesus said,
I am telling you now before it happens,
so that when it does happen,
you will believe that I am who I am.
Very truly I tell you,
whoever accepts anyone I send
accepts me,
and whoever accepts me
accepts the one who sends me.
Later, Jesus said again,
I have told you now before it happens,
so that when it does happen,
you will believe.
As Thomas listened to the encouraging words
of Jesus about heaven,
that Jesus is going there
to prepare a place for them,
Jesus said,
You know the way to the place
where I am going.
Thomas said to Jesus,
Lord, we don't know where you are going,
so how can we know the way?
This allowed Jesus to reply,
I am the way,
the truth,
and the life.
No one comes to the Father
except through me.
Thomas listened intensely,
who reflected on his own knowledge,
and quickly acknowledged
it is not where Jesus said it was.
This allowed Jesus to explain
his teaching further,
and it is a good,
healthy way of interruption.
To this point,
the Thomas that Jesus has chosen
seems a great guide,
bold,
honest,
ready to have a go,
ready to follow Jesus
to the end,
even to death.
But it comes to chapter 20,
as we have read.
Thomas missed
his chance
at the first appearance of Jesus
after his resurrection.
And when other people
want him to experience
that same sense of
emotional relief
and peace,
knowing that
his Savior was alive,
he demanded
more evidence.
Just like any one of us,
often when in our unbelief,
we take pride
in demanding
more evidence
than that was given
by a group of
creditable,
faithful friends.
As Jesus said earlier
in 1320,
whoever accepts
anyone I send
accepts me,
and whoever accepts me
accepts the one
who sends me.
Thomas,
in his arrogance,
had refused
the testimony
by his friends,
which in fact
was rejecting
Jesus and God.
What had happened
to the chosen
Thomas the Apostle?
Why wasn't he there
the first night
after Jesus' resurrection?
To his defense,
maybe,
perhaps it was
his emotional reaction
to the outcome
of his agony
and disappointment.
Death was very real
to Thomas.
He had been filled
with the horror
at the sight
of the beating
ruins of Jesus.
The person
that he could touch
and feel,
the person
that he ran
while they
dodged
all the throwing stones,
no longer
there.
The person
of his focus,
the reference
of his life,
that person
he can rely on
is no longer
in his sight.
And he did not
want to be
with anyone.
He just wanted
to be alone
to face all the pain
and suffering
by himself.
What Thomas
had asked for
when he got back
with the disciples
seems arrogant
because he rather
trust his own eyes,
ears,
and hand
than the combined
testimony
of more than
ten men
who had seen
with their eyes,
heard with their ears,
and touched
with their hand.
But it was
an honest request
of his heart
at that moment.
He wanted to see
his Jesus,
hear his Jesus,
touch his Jesus
again.
He needed
something to deal
with his emotional
state.
And he was
simply asking
for the same
thing that
those disciples
say they have
experienced.
They are unbelievers.
They thrive
on doubt.
They like it,
enjoy it,
live by it.
They nurture
the evil heart
of unbelief.
They have a deep
sense of
reluctance
to be convinced
by the objective
truth.
They are more
irritated
when they are
faced,
when they are
faced to the
facts,
sorry,
they are more
irritated when
they are faced
to the facts,
forced to the
facts,
forced to face
the facts,
sorry.
They are
preoccupied
with their own
views.
They get
provoked
instead of
being thankful
when any
doubt is
removed.
It doesn't
seem to be
the Thomas
that we're
saying here.
An honest
doubter
will expressly,
honestly
seek the
truth
regardless of
the outcome.
They will
not eagerly
cease on a
new objection
when the
outcome is
not what
they were
expecting.
In fact,
I would say
if someone
is honest
with their
doubt,
they will
not remain
a doubter
for too
long.
They are
not very
far from
becoming a
believer.
Jesus
let Thomas
reflect on
what the
disciples
had testified
to him
for a
whole week
before he
appeared to
them again.
He let
those haunting
words of the
eyes'
witnesses
sink deep
into Thomas'
heart.
I'm sure
Jesus was
observing the
interaction of
the disciples
because he
told them at
his first
appearance that
if you
forgive anyone's
sins,
their sins
are forgiven.
If you
do not
forgive them,
they are
not forgiven.
I could
imagine the
reaction of
the other
disciples when
Thomas rejected
their testimony.
There may
be cutting
words of
blame for
Thomas'
disappearance.
They might
say to him,
if you have
not run
away, we
don't have
to try so
hard to
convince you.
They may
even start
to challenge
his stubbornness
and disbelief.
believe.
I'm sure
the overjoyed
disciples was
not very
helpful to
Thomas.
They have
all the
good intention
but most
likely using
the wrong
method to
convince him.
But that
was not
the good
excuse for
Thomas to
remain stubborn
and refuse
to believe.
Jesus
suddenly appealed
among them
and provided
Thomas with
exactly what
he has asked
for.
Jesus did
not scold
him.
He swore
breathed
forgiveness
and encouragement
to Thomas'
faith.
He brought
Thomas to
assurance,
just as he
did to the
other
disciples.
Thomas'
faith was
restored with
the appearance
of his
recent Lord.
At this
point,
Thomas said
to Jesus,
my Lord
and my
God.
Then Jesus
told him,
because you
have seen
me,
you have
believed it.
Blessed are
those who
have not
seen and
yet have
believed.
Jesus
agreed
exactly to
Thomas'
demand for
evidence.
Jesus met
every one of
the outrageous
demands of
Thomas to
the letter.
And not
just Thomas,
but all
eleven
apostles.
He also
offered many
convincing
proof that
he was
alive.
In the
book of
Acts,
chapter 1,
verse 3,
it reads,
After his
suffering,
he presented
himself to
them and
gave them
many convincing
proof that
he was
alive.
He appeared
to them
over a
period of
forty days
and spoke
about the
kingdom of
God.
Jesus not
only answered
Thomas'
doubts,
but every
Thomas in
the future.
There will
be many
more
Thomases
done
through
history
who
wrestled
with the
same
question
of the
resurrection
and who
Jesus
really is.
Jesus
had given
a decisive
bow to
all doubt
and unbelief.
We should
be thankful
that Thomas
expressed his
doubt about
the resurrection
of Jesus
because in
answering his
question,
Jesus
answered ours
too.
When Thomas
confessed and
declared,
my Lord and
my God,
it tells us
who Jesus
really is.
Jesus
truly is
both
Lord and
God,
and he
speaks of
us when
he says,
blessed are
those who
have not
seen and
yet have
believed.
Whoever at
any time,
past,
present,
or future,
believed
without seeing
is pronounced
blessed.
We are called
to walk by
faith and
not by sight,
but our
faith has
solid creditable
historical
evidence of
the recent
savior.
So,
who is
Thomas,
and what
can we
learn from
him?
Thomas
lost an
opportunity.
Thomas was
chosen by
God to
be his
witness,
and his
biggest mistake
was he
withdrew from
Christian
fellowship at
the site of
Jesus'
suffering and
crucifixion.
In his
isolation,
he missed
the site of
Christ.
He wanted
to be by
himself in
his own
suffering and
pain.
As a loyal
disciple, he
was willing to
die with
Jesus.
His intentions
were good,
however, his
action didn't
follow.
Thomas fled
with the rest
of the
disciples and
left Jesus
there, all
by himself,
in the hands
of his
oppressors.
He was
probably full
of guilt and
remorse.
and he
did the
worst
things.
But also
a very
common thing
that he
could have
done is
to be
alone by
himself,
hugging and
nurturing his
unbelief.
How many
of you
try to go
alone when
God has
provided others
who have
made the
same difficult
journey through
hurt, grief,
and suffering?
That is the
exact time when
we should be in
the company of
our fellow
believers.
Thomas would
have been
better off if
he had been
in the company
of the other
disciples and
would not miss
the blessing of
the resurrected
Christ and
spend eight
more days
wallowing in
his unbelief.
Does that
mean Thomas
is a failure?
Or are there
things we can
still learn from
him?
Thomas was a
practical
disciple of
Jesus and
he is
intellectually
honest.
He calculated
the situation
carefully.
He was not
going to
pretend to
understand
something that
does not
make sense
to him.
There are a
lot of things
in our life
that we must
ponder and
think through
for ourselves,
especially when
it is about
our relationship
with God.
Jesus
patiently
worked with
Thomas and
strengthened him
at the point
of his
weaknesses.
Jesus will
patiently
wait and
guide us
in our
life to
a full
acceptance of
God because
he is the
way, the
truth, and
the life.
And no one
comes to the
Father except
through Jesus.
If you truly
want to be a
follower of
Jesus, if you
really want to
have a close
relationship with
God, be bold
and stay your
case with God
in your prayer.
ask God to
show him to
you in the
most practical
way you can
think of.
Be honest with
your questions
and doubts
and be prepared
to have Jesus
call on you
to put your
finger into
his hand.
Thomas looked
carefully into
things determined
to inquire as
their deepest
meaning.
He refused to
say he understood
something when he
did not.
He refused to
say he believed
something that
he really
didn't.
A yes from
Thomas is
always a yes.
A no is
always a no.
And when
Thomas was
sure, he
went the
whole way.
He declared
my Lord and
my God and
he meant
every word of
it.
And by that
declaration, he
put his faith
into what he
believes.
So why are we
talking about
Thomas this
morning?
Thomas was
the last of
the twelve
apostles to
believe in the
resurrection of
Jesus because
he was not
there on the
Sunday evening
that Christ
rose from the
dead.
So he had to
wait for a
full week.
When he saw
Jesus, there
was no need
for pulping
fingers.
He declared,
you are my
Lord and my
God, and he
worshipped the
resurrected Jesus.
He has the
courage to
admit his
weaknesses and
admit that he
has been
preoccupied by
himself and
his own
view.
And he was
willing to
face the
facts and
change his
view.
He courageously
accepted the
absolute truth
that Jesus is
the Lord and
God.
When Jesus
told Thomas,
because you
have seen
me, you
have believed.
Blessed are
those who
have not
seen and yet
have believed.
Jesus is
also talking
to you and
me.
Believing is
directing your
heart's attention
to Jesus.
Unbelief, put
yourself where
God should be.
Jesus helped
Thomas to get
his eyes off
himself and
look upon
him.
Jesus wants
you to do
the same, to
look upon
him and
worship him
as your
Lord and
your God.
God's
peace will
be with
you and
you are
blessed.
As you
direct your
heart's
attention to
Jesus, you
will see all
the awesome
blessings that
God has set
aside and
prepared for
you.
Don't be
unbelieving,
believe.
Believe.
Amen.
Believe.
Oh.