Sunday Recap for 5/7/17: How does Jesus ease our doubts?
Sunday, May 7, 2017, we looked at this Big Picture Question:
Big Picture Question: How does Jesus ease our doubt?
And we looked at John 20:24-29 to answer it:
24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”
26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
We found these 3 answers to our Big Picture Question:
How does Jesus ease our doubt?
- He gives us faithful friends.
- He speaks peace over us.
- He redeems our fears.
He gives us faithful friends.
24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”
Thomas just can’t believe that Jesus has risen from the dead unless he sees Jesus and touches his scars. His friends have all seen him, but he hasn’t. Thomas is skeptical and a bit hard to love. Thankfully, God has given Thomas faithful friends who bear with him and tell him the truth even when he can’t believe it. For the Christian, the church is the place where faithful friends bear with one another during difficult times. Galatians 6:2 Bear one another’s burdens so as to fulfill the law of Christ.
He speaks peace over us.
26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”
Jesus appears to Thomas. It has been 8 days since the disciples saw Jesus, and I’m sure Thomas felt left out or even unloved. But Jesus appears and gives Thomas the exact same blessing that He gave the disciples when He appeared to them. While we wait, while we are in the in between times, this must be our prayer. “Jesus, speak peace over me while I wait.”
He redeems our fears.
27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Jesus is about redeeming fears. Thomas had them, and Jesus didn’t despise Thomas or his fears. And out of that moment, Jesus blesses us by telling us that we are more blessed. Thomas saw and believed. We haven’t seen, but we believe. This is a beautiful picture of Jesus redeeming Thomas’ fears and gives us hope that Jesus will redeem ours.
Big Picture Question: How does Jesus ease our doubt?
Truth: God speaks peace over and redeems our doubts and fears through faithful friends within the church.
Application: Live knowing that you are part of a peace speaking community within the church that is intended by God to ease your fears and doubts.
Action: Deepen your relationships in the church so that you might know greater peace with others and give greater peace to others.