Doubt

Rethinking Doubting Thomas

The Good Word2 Comments

John 20:24-29 (New International Version)

Jesus Appears to Thomas

24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus[a]), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 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.”

26 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!” 27 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.”

28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

A couple Sundays ago my Pastor was preaching about the above story from the Bible, he asked us if we as Christians focus too much attention on Thomas’ doubt and miss a more important message.

The message that Jesus met Thomas’ need. Jesus wanted Thomas to believe so He showed him His wounds, giving Thomas exactly what he needed in order to believe.

How amazing is that? That is a wonderful thing to focus on but instead we often focus on the doubt, we call people a “Doubting Thomas” if they have doubts, rather than focusing on their need and what will help them believe.

Yes, Jesus said, “blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” but He did not condemn Thomas for needing to see, instead Jesus knew Thomas’ need and didn’t hesitate. He didn’t shame Thomas, He didn’t call him an insult instead He met the need. What a merciful and gracious God we serve.

Let’s try mercy and grace with those struggling in doubt.

Lord helps us do so.

Have a Blessed Week,
Chris

Daily Bible Readings:
Monday – Acts 9:36-43

Tuesday – Psalm 23

Wednesday – Revelation 7:9-17

Thursday – John 10:22-30

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2020%3A24-29&version=NIV

Doubt Is Okay

The Good WordLeave a comment

I’m going to start with the Bible today,

John 20:24-29 (ESV)
Jesus and Thomas

24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin,[a] 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.”

Because of this story Thomas is always referred to as “Doubting Thomas”. It has also led to a lot of people in the church calling those with doubts a “Doubting Thomas”. In reality that is unfair.

My Pastor on Sunday argued that this story really is about Thomas coming to belief in Jesus as He is rather than the part when Thomas doubted.

The truth is it very easy for us as to smugly read about Thomas’ doubt and shake our heads at him. But we all came to faith at some point, prior to that we didn’t believe in God at all in most cases and if we are honest with ourselves we all have doubt at times.

And that is okay!

I am big fan of Mike Winger and his Bible Thinker YouTube channel. He actually affirmed his faith by researching the claims in Christianity, he had doubt and now is an excellent Bible teacher.

Lee Strobel famously wrote “The Case for Christ” to verify the truth of Christianity but he originally was trying to debunk Christianity.

My testimony of how I started to take my faith seriously involves a lot of doubt.

I read the Bible and a lot of times struggled, I was confused and also asked myself, “How could this be true?”

I continued to read scripture, listened to apologetics while also listening to skeptics and reading books from both theologians and critics like Richard Dawkins and Bart Ehrman.

I went back and forth with points and counter points.

Then I finally just prayed for wisdom. I saw things so much clearer thank God and was able to understand the Bible and the history of Christianity a lot better.

God revealed Himself and continues to revel Himself to me in countless ways.

My faith was made stronger from my doubt.

Now like Thomas I can truly say, “My Lord and my God.”

Have a Blessed Week,
Chris

Links:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2020:24-29&version=ESV

Mike Winger:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7u2HaYBKDaLPcWmldxgGEA

https://biblethinker.org/

Lee Strobel:
https://leestrobel.com/

Heritage Baptist Church Service: