We can know how God feels about our doubts, when we look at how Jesus handled this familiar situation. Jesus was not at all put off, scandalized or intimidated when someone questioned him, especially someone who came from a sincere place, a person who wanted to find him faithful … someone like Thomas.
Take a look:
“Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!"
But he said to them, "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."
A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."
Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”1
Kinda' like Mary Magdalene, Thomas has always gotten ‘the rap,’ hasn’t he? Doubting Thomas. I don’t think he was deserving though … look back to John chapter 11, Thomas had been prepared to follow Jesus to Bethany, even if it meant death.2 ‘Can’t say he was noncommittal, now can you? But Thomas was not the guy who just went along with everyone else; he had to learn truth for himself.
I love the exchange between Jesus and Thomas. Jesus simply invites him to touch his side and look at his hands—experience him for himself—and then believe. See, Jesus was absolutely confident that once Thomas saw the truth, he would believe, and act on it.
Indeed once he saw the marks of Jesus’ crucifixion, Thomas exclaimed, "My Lord and my God!" Poor Thomas! He has the bad reputation, doesn't he? "Doubting Thomas" he has been dubbed down through the centuries. But Friends, the rest of the disciples were doubters, too. ‘Remember how they had run away? Remember how they had hidden themselves, until Mary “M” came to fetch them to come see the empty tomb?
The scripture does not indicate whether or not Thomas actually did touch Jesus, but Jesus made the proffer. And then Jesus said to him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
That is you and me … we have not seen Jesus in the flesh, but if we look for truth, we will indeed encounter Jesus Christ, the Son of God. We will experience him—his love, forgiveness, grace, presence and peace in a life-changing relationship with him.
Jesus can handle our questions, especially those that are honest, posed to remove doubts that impede our belief in him--those offered from a sincere desire for truth. At least Thomas was courageous enough to step forward and verbalize his doubts; then, Jesus could meet him in his questions, and lead him into a most convinced faith.
Have any doubts? Step a little closer to the One who has nothing to hide . . . he will show you his scarred hands and feet, reveal himself from the pages of Scripture, and stick closer than a brother to you.3
Jesus came to reveal himself, and one day he is coming again!
Do you have doubts? Consider Jesus' response.
by Christine
8 hours ago
Listen here: https://www.pastorwoman.net/podcast/episode/333a59c4/do-you-have-doubts-consider-jesus-response
We can know how God feels about our doubts, when we look at how Jesus handled this familiar situation. Jesus was not at all put off, scandalized or intimidated when someone questioned him, especially someone who came from a sincere place, a person who wanted to find him faithful … someone like Thomas.
Take a look:
“Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!"
But he said to them, "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."
A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."
Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”1
Kinda' like Mary Magdalene, Thomas has always gotten ‘the rap,’ hasn’t he? Doubting Thomas. I don’t think he was deserving though … look back to John chapter 11, Thomas had been prepared to follow Jesus to Bethany, even if it meant death.2 ‘Can’t say he was noncommittal, now can you? But Thomas was not the guy who just went along with everyone else; he had to learn truth for himself.
I love the exchange between Jesus and Thomas. Jesus simply invites him to touch his side and look at his hands—experience him for himself—and then believe. See, Jesus was absolutely confident that once Thomas saw the truth, he would believe, and act on it.
Indeed once he saw the marks of Jesus’ crucifixion, Thomas exclaimed, "My Lord and my God!" Poor Thomas! He has the bad reputation, doesn't he? "Doubting Thomas" he has been dubbed down through the centuries. But Friends, the rest of the disciples were doubters, too. ‘Remember how they had run away? Remember how they had hidden themselves, until Mary “M” came to fetch them to come see the empty tomb?
The scripture does not indicate whether or not Thomas actually did touch Jesus, but Jesus made the proffer. And then Jesus said to him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
That is you and me … we have not seen Jesus in the flesh, but if we look for truth, we will indeed encounter Jesus Christ, the Son of God. We will experience him—his love, forgiveness, grace, presence and peace in a life-changing relationship with him.
Jesus can handle our questions, especially those that are honest, posed to remove doubts that impede our belief in him--those offered from a sincere desire for truth. At least Thomas was courageous enough to step forward and verbalize his doubts; then, Jesus could meet him in his questions, and lead him into a most convinced faith.
Have any doubts? Step a little closer to the One who has nothing to hide . . . he will show you his scarred hands and feet, reveal himself from the pages of Scripture, and stick closer than a brother to you.3
Jesus came to reveal himself, and one day he is coming again!
Your invitation today; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXXxLwxfo0U
Just come to him.
Christine
PastorWoman.net
1 - John 20.24-28
2 - John 11.16
3 - Proverbs 18.24