STOP DOUBTING AND BELIEVE!

John 20:24-31

It’s a week after the resurrection of Jesus.  One of his first post resurrection appearances came just the week before when he revealed himself to his disciples in the room in which they were staying.  Thomas was the only one not present on that day.

When Thomas arrived and the disciples told him they had seen the Lord, skeptical Thomas said: 

“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 it.”

Now here they are again, the disciples, including Thomas, are in that same room.  The text says: 

“Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said,  “Peace be with you.”

When Jesus first appeared to his disciples a week earlier, He greeted them in the very same way – that time they were also hiding behind locked doors for fear of the Jews.  But it wasn’t only fear that gripped them.  Undoubtedly there was still grief over the loss of Jesus, and now confusion as well as they pondered Mary’s assertion that she had see the risen Lord.

You know that’s always the way it is when Jesus enters the picture – His entrance brings peace.  Are you trying to go it alone with your fear, or loss, or loneliness, or confusion?  Invite Jesus in – into your life, into your situation, into your confusion – His entrance brings peace; His Words bring comfort.  We can imagine all the emotions of that few days draining from his disciples as Jesus appears and speaks peace.  Now to bring peace into Thomas’ confusion as well.

To Thomas Jesus said:

“Put your finger here, see my hands.  Reach out your hand and put it into my side.  Stop doubting and believe.”

Thomas responded:

“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.”

The chapter closes with this:

“Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book.  But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

A number of things struck me as I read this passage.  None are especially profound, but all are wonderful.

The first is that Jesus knew what Thomas said even though He hadn’t been there when Thomas spoke his doubting words.  So when he entered the room, he just held out his hands and invited Thomas to touch them and see for himself the proof of his resurrection.  

I love that.  Does that mean that Jesus knows MY doubts too, even when I only think them?  Even if I express them to friends, but never to him directly?  Yes, I believe it does.  

Does Jesus’ encounter with Thomas mean that he can handle my doubts without shaming me for them?  Yes, I believe it does.  

I think he would say the same thing to us he says to Thomas, “Stop doubting, just believe.”   

There are things you and I just don’t understand – about God, about circumstances, about lots of things.  We can ask the Lord to give us understanding and in some cases He can, and will.  But there are other things we’ll never understand this side of heaven.  For those, we’ll just have to trust – in His goodness and trustworthiness and justice.  Along with Abraham we’re just going to have to believe that the judge of all the earth WILL do what’s right.  Because that’s who He is.

I love it that Jesus graciously gave Thomas the proof he wanted and apparently needed.  He said in effect:  “Here Thomas.  Look at my hands.  There’s the proof you’re looking for!  It IS me!”

What doubts do you harbor about Jesus?  Are you having trouble accepting for yourself what your Christian friends say about him?  Maybe you think He’s simply a good man, a great teacher, the most loving person you’ve heard of, but you’re having trouble believing that He is who He says He is – the Savior, the Son of God.

What John says at the end of his gospel is for doubters just like you.  He says:

“Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book.  But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

In John 21, verse 25, John also says:

“Jesus did many others things as well.  If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.”

What John wrote about Jesus was not inclusive of all Jesus did, but it’s all anyone really needs to believe.  Under the editing of the Holy Spirit, John says, the things that were written were written with a purpose, “That you may believe that Jesus is the Christ and that by believing, you might have life in His name.”

If you need proof that Jesus is who He says He is, John says, you have everything you need in his gospel to believe.  God Himself has seen to that because He wants you to believe in His Son.  Why?

·        So that you might have life in His name.  

·        Life. 

·        Life without guilt or shame – a sins forgiven life

·        Life to the full in the here and now. 

·        Life changing life!  Life with purpose. 

·        Life eternal – forever life in relationship with the God who made the universe and the Son whom He loves

Thomas had to SEE to believe that Jesus was alive.

But faith doesn’t work that way.  Faith is BELIEVING first, and then seeing.

“Stop doubting, just believe”, Jesus says to Thomas, and to you.  

You will never have all your doubts dispelled before you put your faith in Jesus, but when you do, you’ll be surprised at how many things will become clear.  

Thomas needed to SEE to believe, but Jesus said to him:

“Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Still have doubts?  Read John’s gospel.  In it, God has given you all the proof you’ll need to believe.  You just need to stop doubting.