OceanSide church of Christ

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THE SAYINGS OF THE CRUCIFIXION (30)

 

Jesus Appears to Thomas

John 20:24-29

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.     In our previous lesson on “The Sayings of the Crucifixion,” Jesus appeared to the apostles. 

1.        Jesus upbraided His chosen because they had not believed Mary Magdalene or the men who saw Jesus on the road to Emmaus.

2.       We noted that Peter may not have been in that assembly.

3.        There was another apostle who was not there either.  The apostle’s name was Thomas.

 

B.      In our study this evening, Jesus appears to His disciples again.  This time Thomas is present and a discussion ensues between Jesus and this disciple. 

1.        John is the only gospel writer to record the incident (John 20:24-29).

2.       We have subtitled our study:  “Jesus Appears to Thomas.”

 

I.             THOMAS’ ABSENCE (John 20:24)

 

A.     Characteristics of Thomas (John 20:24a)

 

But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus…

 

1.        His name:  Thomas

a.       This is his Hebrew name.

b.       It simply means “twin.”

c.       In John’s gospel, his name is mentioned 8 times.  He is personally included in four different situations by John. 

2.       His position:   “one of the twelve.”

a.       We do not know how or when he came into contact with Jesus. 

b.       He possessed the qualities that were needed to be included among the chosen ambassadors of Jesus Christ (Matt. 10:3).

c.       He was definitely loyal to the Christ.  Listen to the first statement he makes in John’s gospel (John 11:16).

 

Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.

 

3.        John also tells us that he was called “Didymus.” 

a.       This is a Greek term.

b.       It means “double,” indicating that he was a twin.

 

B.      Concealed (John 20:24b)

 

…was not with them when Jesus came.

 

1.        Thomas was not with the others when Jesus appeared unto them.

2.       We are not told “why” he was not there.

3.        LESSON:  The night Thomas was not with the apostles was a Sunday night.  Because of his absence, he did not see the Christ.  When we fail to assemble with the saints, we, too, fail to be with the Christ.  When the church comes together, Jesus is in the midst of that assembly.  Sadly, some think is it not a “big deal” to miss.  Give that some serious thought.  It is not big deal to be with the Christ???

 

II.           THOMAS’ APPREHENSION (John 20:25)

 

A.     Claim (John 20:25a)

 

The other disciples said unto him, We have seen the Lord…

 

1.        When Thomas came back from his errand, the disciples told him that they had seen Jesus.

a.       Thomas had been with these men for over 3 years now.

b.       He should have readily accepted the testimony of these eyewitnesses.

2.       Too, he was present when Mary Magdalene revealed that she had seen the Christ. 

 

B.      Conditions (John 20:25b)

 

…But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hand the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.

 

1.        Thomas did not readily accept the testimony of the apostles.

a.       This is why Thomas is often referred to as “doubting Thomas.”

b.       I have always thought we have been too hard on Thomas.  All of the disciples had strong doubts regarding the resurrected Christ.

1)       They doubted Mary.

2)      They doubted the men who saw Jesus on the road to Emmaus.

3)       Even when Jesus appeared to them, Luke tells us:  “…they yet believed not for joy, and wondered…” (Luke 24:41).

2.       Thomas demanded evidence, hard evidence.

a.       He wanted to see and touch the nail prints in Jesus’ hands.

b.       He wanted to thrust his hand into his side where the spear had pierced it.

c.       True faith is based on evidence (Heb. 11:1).

 

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

 

III.         JESUS’ APPEARANCE (John 20:26)

 

A.     Convocation (John 20:26a)

 

And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas was with them…

 

1.        Eight days had passed.  If we count from Sunday to Sunday, this would be eight days.

2.       This time, Thomas was in the assembly with the others. 

3.        Remember, Judas had hung himself.  Thus, there were only eleven of them. 

4.       Matthias and Joseph may have been there as well.

 

B.      Coming (John 20:26b)

 

…then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in their midst…

 

1.        This appears to be another miraculous appearance of Jesus.

2.       Such an appearance would bring fear and confusion to the minds of the apostles.

 

C.     Comfort (John 20:26c)

 

..and said, Peace be unto you.

 

1.        Jesus sought to bring comfort to the hearts of His disciples.

2.       The Greek word for peace can be translated rest or quietness. 

3.        Jesus did not want His apostles troubled by His presence.

IV.         THOMAS’ AFFIRMATION (John 20:27-29)

 

A.     Confirmation (John 20:27)

 

Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side; and be not faithless, but believing.

 

1.        After broadly addressing the other apostles, Jesus turned his attention to Thomas.

2.       It is interesting that Jesus knew exactly what Thomas desired for evidence.  This manifests the omniscience of the Christ.  He knew the hearts of all men.

3.        He presented the evidence to Thomas.  Thomas was free to touch His hands and His side if he so desired.

4.       His exhortation concluded with these words:  “Be not faithless, but believing.”

a.       Jesus did not chide Thomas because he desired evidence.

b.       Jesus gave ample evidence so Thomas could believe.

c.       Jesus wants all to believe.

d.       NOTE:  The fact that Thomas saw the evidence did not negate his having faith.  Seeing the physical evidence produced faith in this man (See also Saul, Acts 9:3-6).

 

B.      Confession (John 20:28)

 

And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

 

1.        We do not read that Thomas actually touched the Lord.  What he saw filled his heart with faith.  Thomas was so filled with faith that he had to speak.

2.       He manifested his faith in his confession.

a.       My Lord:  the sovereign one, the Master

b.       My God:  one possessed with the attributes of deity

3.        Thoughts:

a.       The evidence was so overwhelming that Thomas had to believe.

b.       He made what we call “The Good Confession.”  This confession needs to be made by all men today in order to be saved (Rom. 10:9-10).

 

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

 

c.       He referred to Jesus as God. 

1)       Some tell us that Jesus is “a god,” but He is not the true and living God.  They tell us He was created and evolved into a god-like being.

2)      Thomas calls Jesus God, “theos,” the supreme Divinity.  It is interesting that Jesus did not correct Him.  Thomas had acknowledged the truth.  Would that all would confess what Thomas proclaimed that day.

 

C.     Commendation (John 20:29)

 

Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed:  blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

 

1.        Jesus did not ridicule Thomas’ faith.  In fact, Jesus affirms it.  “Because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed.”

a.       This was a needed thing.

b.       This was a positive thing.

c.       This was a saving thing.

2.       Jesus makes a distinction between two different types of faith.

a.       Faith can come by seeing the physical evidence.

1)       All of the apostles were eyewitnesses of the resurrection and believed Jesus is the Christ the Son of God.

2)      The song that we sing that says:  “faith shall be lost in heavenly sight,” is wrong.  When we see Jesus and the splendors of heaven, our faith will be confirmed to an even greater degree.

b.       There is also a faith that comes without seeing.

1)       Jesus knew the time was coming when He would ascend to the right hand of God and no man would be able to see Him.

2)      Faith would then be produced not by sight, but by the accurate testimony of credible witnesses. 

a)      My dad said he rode a mule to school.  I never personally saw that, but I believe it because I trust my father’s testimony.

b)      I have never personally seen DNA, but I believe DNA exists due to reliable testimony.

c)      I have never seen and touched the Leaning Tower of Pisa, but I believe it exists because of reliable, credible testimony.

3)       In the spiritual realm today, we walk by faith and not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7).  We walk by a faith that is absent of sight. 

4)      Jesus pronounces a blessing on those who have this kind of faith.  “..blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.”

a)      The word “blessed” means “fortunate, well off, supremely blessed, happy.”

b)      This is the type of faith that all of us have.

c)      Let’s maintain this faith to the very end (Heb. 3:14).

 

For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.     It has been one week since Jesus was raised from the dead.  He only has thirty-three more days to live on the earth before His ascension.

 

B.      All of the apostles have seen Him.  All of them are now fully convinced that Jesus is alive and well.

 

C.     This will not be the last time Jesus appears to this noble company of men.

 

D.     Too, He has a matter that still needs to be addressed with one of His followers specifically. 

 

E.      Do you have faith in the Christ?

1.        Do you believe that He is truly raised from the dead? 

2.       That faith is foundational to your salvation (See Rom. 10:9-10).

3.        That faith should constrain you to obey the precious gospel of Christ if you have not.

4.       If that faith has saved you, hold it firm until the end (Heb. 10:35).

 

Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward.