Revision as of 17:28, 5 May 2025



John 20:24-29 Dispel Doubt

Nathan Wakefield / General Adult

Easter at Southview / John 20:24-29

The Gospel turns doubt into declaration, my Lord and my God.

Theological Proposition/Focus:Doubt can be a catalyst for faith, leading to powerful declarations of who Christ is in our lives: my Lord and my God.

Christ Focus:This passage emphasizes the divine nature of Christ as both Lord and God, reinforcing the central Christian belief in the deity of Jesus. It connects to the larger narrative of the Gospels, where Jesus is repeatedly revealed as the Son of God who conquers death, assuring believers of His authority and presence.

Homiletical Proposition/Application:Christians should recognize that doubt is a natural part of faith. By addressing their uncertainties openly, they can experience a personal encounter with Christ that transforms their doubts into declarations of faith, thus encouraging a deeper relationship with Him.

Introduction

Image: See Setting the stage

Need: Doubt is a natural response to things we don't understand or cannot imagine but that does not mean we can continue in doubt.

Preview: I am convinced we need to transform our skepticism into the start of belief, so that we can fully believe our Savior's invitation and move from doubt to declaration.

Text: John 20:24-29 read all at the beginning

Setting the Stage:

Have you ever heard an incredible story that was hard to believe? Maybe a story about a large fish or something crazy that someone did.

I have heard some pretty amazing stories of what can only be described as miracles and I will admit to you, I was skeptical.

A few years back I heard a story about a guy who was working in a country where Bibles were not allowed. The guy had a backpack of Bibles and was walking through town. The guy did not fit in and eventually a police officer stopped him and asked what he was doing. They guy said he was out for a walk. Well that didn't assuage the officer and so the officer put him in the back of the car and drove him to the station backpack and all. They placed him in a interrogation room and took his backpack. After what seemed like hours a secretary came in and asked him if there was anything he needed. He just smiled and said no I am fine. The secretary looked at him and said, you seem like a really nice guy, the officers here are just really paranoid and you ahve been waiting here for a long time. Here, let me give you your bag and you can go ahead and head home, they are just being paranoid.

When I heard the story I was in shock, that sort of thing doesn't happen, but the more I talked to him I realized this really happened.

We give Thomas a hard time for being Doubting Thomas but at the same time think about what Thomas had gone through. Jesus had been arrested and brutally murdered. I have to admit, I think I would have likely fallen into Thomas's shoes. You all can talk about what you think you saw as much as you like but until I see it for myself I won't believe.

Body

Skepticism: The Start of Belief — It is somewhat normal to doubt the account of others over your own first-hand experience (24-25).

We must acknowledge Thomas's doubt as something we all experience. In this passage, Thomas is honest about his skepticism when he hears about Jesus' resurrection from the other disciples. This skepticism is not met with condemnation but is part of his journey to a stronger faith.

Not everyone has the same experience with Jesus.

The text does not tell us why Thomas had been absent for the first appearance of Jesus. We simply do not know. When we read the Bible we need to be careful about not bringing an inappropriate amount of tradition to our reading and I fear that with Thomas we sometimes do just that. Most people, whether versed int he Bible or not have heard the phrase doubting Thomas and so immediately we bring that to bear on the text. But the whole idea of doubting Thomas is based on this small part of Scripture right here. If we are careful what we see is not so much someone who is "an incredulous or habitually doubtful person" as Webster's dictionary defines a Doubting Thomas but rather someone who is a little skeptical of other's experiences until he has experienced it himself.

So, why would John spend this small pericope of Scripture on Thomas? You know, Thomas is mentioned in the other Gospels, but only in lists of the disciples, no other Gospel includes this pericope. I think there is a pretty obvious reason. John writes his Gospel much later than then other Gospels and by the time John writes there are second generation Christians and beyond. There are a lot, probably the majority, or Christians who were born long after Jesus ascended into Heaven. I think John chooses to include the narrative of Thomas here to help us, who have lived after the ascension to understand how we can continue to relate to Jesus.

Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." is absolutely true. But the way we each experience Jesus can differ. Some people experience the clear leading of the Holy Spirit on a matter and others do not. Some people have a great peace about something. Throughout life, we all have different experiences with Jesus and guess what, he is in Heaven so none of us get the physical experience with Jesus tha the disciples enjoyed. Guess what? That is okay, John includes this periscope for us!

Some people want explicit evidence or a particular sign.

A question that is always interesting to discuss with anyone about any number of topics is "what would you consider to be sufficient evidence." In the field of mathematics this question is the question that just about everything above Junior Year College Mathematics seeks to answer. For centuries mathematicians have worked to generate a common understanding of what mathematical proof entails and here is the thing nearly every mathematician will agree on what constitutes mathematical proof.

Unfortunately, in the world outside of mathematics the notion of proof is much less well-defined and it is a challenge to get people even to admit what they would accept as evidence of a particular reality. Think about it, a lawyer does not prove anything to a jury, they prove beyond a reasonable doubt.

In verse 25 Thomas gives us his criterial for proof of the risen Christ. Thomas states that he wants to feel the physical wounds of Jesus.

Now I want to pause for just a minute and talk about something. Thomas's request often seems unreasonable to us, but that is not really the case. Thomas is not asking fr the impossible. Jesus has already appeared to the other 10 disciples so what Thomas is asking for is consistent with the work that Jesus is already doing.

Here is something that I have been mulling in my head, I don't think Thomas is being unreasonable in his ask. I know that is not the popular thing to say or at least is not consistent with what I was taught in Sunday School but really Thomas is asking that Jesus appear to him as he has appeared to the other disciples.

An honest desire for evidence does not seem to be a problem.

It is interesting that in the entire pericope there is no reprimand for Thomas. None of the disciples scoff at Thomas's skepticism. Even Jesus doesn't really reprimand Jesus but just tells him to stop doubting and believe. I don't think Thomas was wrong to ask for confirmation of what he was hearing because Thomas was willing to accept the truth when he got confirmation. I don't want to get too far ahead in the sermon but I want you to notice that Thomas immediately accepts his evidence as proof.

I have interacted with a fair number of self-proclaimed skeptics and for the most part what I have found is that no amount of evidence will convince them that Jesus is their Savior. I am serious, it is hard to imagine but generally if you get someone to honestly talk with you and you ask what would convince them that God was real, or that Jesus was necessary for salvation what they will tell you is that no evidence would actually convince them.

So what I want to tell you is that a honest desire for evidence does not seem to be a problem and is in fact something that God seems to work with us on.

Consider the story of Gideon.

Image: Judges 6:36-40

The Book of Judges describes a recurring pattern in Israel's history: the people fall into sin, God allows them to be oppressed by enemies, they cry out for help, and God raises up a deliverer. By the time we reach Judges 6, Israel has once again done evil in the sight of the Lord, and as a result, God has given them into the hands of the Midianites for seven years. The Midianites, along with the Amalekites and other eastern peoples, would invade the land during harvest, destroying crops and livestock and leaving the Israelites impoverished and hiding in mountain caves. In their distress, the Israelites cry out to God, and He sends a prophet to remind them of His past deliverance and their failure to remain faithful.

In Judges 6, God calls Gideon to be the next deliverer. When the angel of the Lord appears to Gideon, he is threshing wheat in a winepress—an act of fear and desperation meant to hide from the Midianites. Despite Gideon's doubts and sense of inadequacy, the angel addresses him as a "mighty man of valor" and assures him that the Lord is with him. After receiving confirmation from the angel that this really is happening, Gideon is instructed to begin his mission by tearing down his father's altar to Baal and cutting down the Asherah pole beside it. He obeys but does so at night, afraid of his family and the townspeople. This sets the stage for Judges 6:26-40, where Gideon seeks further confirmation from God.

Here is what strikes me in this story, Gideon was given all sorts of signs, even asking for more signs, and is not reprimanded. Why? I am convinced it is because God knew his heart. As I have thought through Scripture I feel like there are some clear instances where God provides the evidence people ask for. On the other hand there are cases, such as the Pharisees, where Christ flat tells them they will not receive the sign they desire. Why? I think it all comes down to the heart.

MTR: Ask yourself, "where do I have doubts?" Then prepare your heart to accept God's evidence.

Growing up, I think I was essentially taught that doubts were a sign of weakness. Not by my parents, but by several others.

Savior's Invitation: Believe — Doubts do not change the truth of Jesus and His message (26-27).

Your doubts will not break Jesus or the Gospel! Jesus' response to Thomas's doubt is both pastoral and personal. Jesus invites Thomas to touch His wounds, illustrating how Jesus meets us where we are, even in our uncertainties. This moment is a profound example of how Christ's presence can transform our doubts.

Whether or not you believe the offer of Jesus still stands, peace.

Last week we talked a lot about Jesus's use of the phrase "Peace be with you." But I want you to notice that he has done it again.

In John 20:19, the disciples were locked in a room, gripped by fear and uncertainty—but Jesus stepped into that locked space and said, "Peace be with you." His presence transformed their fear, reminding us that no barrier—physical or emotional—can keep Him out. Even after His resurrection, Jesus is still actively pursuing His people, entering their lives with reassurance and love. This moment is not just a historical event; it's a powerful picture of how Christ still meets us in our fear and brings peace that the world cannot give. Through the gift of the Holy Spirit, we are never alone, no matter how locked down our hearts may feel.

Jesus' words, "Peace be with you," are more than a polite greeting—they are a declaration of shalom, the deep, biblical peace that speaks of wholeness, harmony, and restoration. It's the peace that existed in the Garden of Eden before the Fall, and it's the peace Jesus came to restore through His life, death, and resurrection. As the "Prince of Peace," Jesus is the fulfillment of God's promise to renew creation and reconcile all things to Himself. So when Jesus speaks peace over His disciples, He is launching the beginning of a new creation—a new world rooted not in fear, but in hope, freedom, and restoration. In Him, we too can live with a deep, abiding tranquility, even in the midst of life's storms.

Now here is the thing, in verse 26 Thomas is in his state of doubt and Jesus offers peace. This is before Thomas has given his declaration of faith. The offer of Jesus is an offer of peace. Even if you don't believe Jesus still offers you peace. Now, accepting that peace will be tantamount to belief but that doesn't change where Jesus is at, offering peace.

Jesus met Thomas where he was despite his doubts.

Verse 27 is incredible. Despite doubts Jesus meets Thomas where he is at and satisfies Thomas's desire for proof. It is worth noting that the text does not tell us if Thomas actually reached out and touched Jesus. I suspect he did but I cannot say for sure. What I can say is that Jesus offered Thomas exactly the evidence that Thomas needed to be able to believe.

We don't serve a vindictive God who is appalled at our requests for help. We serve a loving Father who wants to give us what we need.

Image: Mark 9:23-25

One of my favorite passages is Mark 9:23-25.

In Mark 9, Jesus comes down from the mountain of transfiguration to find His disciples in the midst of a chaotic scene—a desperate father, a tormented child, and a crowd stirred by the disciples' inability to help. The father has brought his demon-possessed son, hoping for healing, but disappointment has set in. When Jesus arrives, the father pleads with Him, saying, "If you can do anything, take pity on us and help us." What follows in verses 23-25 is a powerful exchange—one that captures the tension between doubt and belief, and the raw honesty of a parent fighting for his child. It's here that we hear one of the most heartfelt prayers in all of Scripture: "I believe; help my unbelief!" This moment invites us to bring our own shaky faith to Jesus, trusting not in the strength of our belief, but in the power and compassion of the One we're believing in.

Mark 9:23-25 ""‘If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for one who believes." Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. "You deaf and mute spirit," he said, "I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.""

Jesus knows your doubts, he knows them better than you know them! What Jesus wants from you is honesty and a heard that is willing to accept proof.

There is a big difference between doubts and rejection.

The command that Jesus gives to Thomas is very important. If I were to translate it in a more rigid way I would translate it as do not be unbelieving but believing. Specifically, the two words unbelieving and believing are anthesis of each other.

Klink, a commentator, points out that Thomas, as evidenced by his request, is seeking to return to the pre-cross belief in Jesus. That is, in the physical presence of Jesus. Thomas demands that Jesus be to him as he was to him in his pre-glorified state as a physical being that Thomas could touch <ref>Klink III, Edward W.John. Zondervan Academic, 2017, 877-878.</ref>. But from that desire for the physical relationship Jesus is working to move Thomas into a true understanding. And so Jesus draws him further Thomas, you need to move into a state where you can fully believe and accept everything that I am and have told you!

Thomas, in John 11:16 you were prepared to die with me but now you need to be prepared to live for me.

MTR: turn your doubt over to Jesus, but be sure you are willing to accept the truth.

We are called to believe in Jesus but not the Jesus of our own construction. We are called to believe in the Jesus of Scripture itself.

Surge of Faith: From Doubt to Declaration — Sure, seeing is believing, but faith without sight deserves special recognition (28-29).

Notice Thomas's transformation from doubt to declaration. His proclamation, "My Lord and my God!" speaks to a newfound understanding of Christ's divinity. This personal encounter leads him to a deeper, more confident faith. We need to see how moments of doubt can result in profound declarations of faith when we meet Jesus.

The only proper response to the conviction of the Truth is a strong declaration of faith.

After studying I am convinced there is a lot to like about Thomas and his doubt, probably because I need to bring my doubts to Jesus but no matter what you think you have to admit that the declaration made by Thomas in verse 28 is nothing short of incredible.

Imagine, what if Thomas had said "you are Lord and God." That would have been an incredible statement. No, Thomas says "my Lord and my God." The word for Lord is the word for master. Thomas is giving his full submission to Jesus. The use of the possessive my reflects Thomas's declaration that he is personally submitting to Jesus. The use of God is incredible. If this is anything but true then Thomas has commited blasphemy but this is true.

Faith, fully placed in Jesus results in a declaration of submission and worship.

Here is the thing, faith, if properly, truly placed in Jesus demands that we submit to him personally and worship him personally. He is our Lord and we owe him our complete allegiance. He is our God and we owe him our complete worship.

The declaration of Thomas is nothing short of incredible.

You can ask for evidence but at some point faith requires that you step out.

We now live in the Church Age with Jesus in Heaven. This means we do not have physical access to Jesus. The reality is that you are going to at some point be faced with the question, do you believe? And a positive answer to that question is going to require faith on some level.

I have many a time thought how cool would it be to have been a disciple to walk with Jesus while he was on Earth. But the reality is that here I see something special. To those who did not get such a privledge there is a special declaration of blessing. You may not have had the opportunity to walk with Jesus but by stepping out in faith now you join the ranks of those who are blessed because they have not seen and yet have believed.

===MTR: Step out in faith and follow your Lord and your God.===

Exported from Logos Bible Study, 12:25 PM May 5, 2025.