NIV Life Application Study Bible, Third Edition - Flipbook - Page 73
page 1849
20:22
lJn 7:39; Ac 2:38;
8:15-17; 19:2;
Gal 3:2
20:23
16:19; 18:18
mMt
20:24
nJn 11:16
20:25
over 20
pMk 16:11
•
J ohn 2 0 : 2 5
22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. l 23If you forgive
anyone’s sins, t heir sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” m
Jesus Appears to the Disciples Including Thomas (245/ Mark 16:14 )
24 Now Thomas n (also known as Didymus a ), one of the Twelve, was not with the dis
ciples when Jesus came. 25So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his h
ands and put my finger where
the nails were, and put my hand into his side, o I will not believe.” p
a
24 Thomas (Aramaic) and Didymus (Greek) both mean twin.
THOMAS, SO OFTEN remembered as “Doubting
Thomas,” deserves to be respected for his faith. He
was a doubter, but his doubts had a purpose—he
wanted to know the truth. Thomas did not idolize his
doubts; he gladly believed when he was given reasons to do so. He expressed his doubts fully
and had them answered completely. Doubting was only his way of responding, not his way of life.
Although our glimpses of Thomas are brief, his character comes through with consistency. He
struggled to be faithful to what he knew, despite what he felt. At one point, when everyone could
see that Jesus’ life was in danger, only Thomas put into words what most were feeling, “Let us also
go, that we may die with him” (John 11:16). He didn’t hesitate to follow Jesus.
We don’t know why Thomas was absent the first time Jesus appeared to the disciples after
the Resurrection, but he was reluctant to believe their witness that Jesus was alive. Not even ten
friends could change his mind!
We can doubt without having to live a doubting way of life. Doubt encourages rethinking. Its
purpose is more to sharpen the mind than to change it. Doubt can be used to pose a question,
get an answer, or push for a decision. But doubt was never meant to be a permanent condition.
Doubt is one foot lifted, poised to step forward or backward. There is no motion until the foot
comes down.
When you experience doubt, take encouragement from Thomas. He didn’t stay in his doubt
but allowed Jesus to bring him to belief. Take encouragement also from the fact that countless
other followers of Christ have struggled with doubts. The answers God gave them may help you,
too. Don’t settle into doubts; move on from them to decision and belief. Find another believer
you can share your doubts with. Silent doubts rarely find answers.
Thomas (Jesus’ Disciple)
Strengths and
accomplishments:
• Intense both in doubt and belief
• A loyal and honest man
Weaknesses
and mistakes:
• Abandoned Jesus at his arrest along with the other disciples
• Refused to believe the others’ claims to have seen the risen Jesus and demanded proof
• Struggled with a pessimistic outlook
Notable fact:
• One of Jesus’ original 12 disciples
Lessons from
his life:
• Jesus does not reject doubts that are honest and directed toward belief.
• To doubt out loud is better than to disbelieve in silence.
Vital statistics:
• Where: Galilee, Judea, Samaria
• Occupation: Disciple
• Contemporaries: Jesus, Herod Antipas, Pilate, the other disciples
Key verses:
“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!’” (John 20:27-28)
Thomas’s story is told in the Gospels, especially in John 11:1-16; 14:1-7; 20:24-31. He is also listed with the other disciples
in Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13.
20:22 The breath of God has life. The first man was created but did not
come alive until God breathed into him the breath of life (Genesis 2:7).
God’s first breath made humans different from all other forms of creation.
Now, through the breath of Jesus, God imparted eternal, spiritual life. With
this inbreathing came the power to do God’s will on earth.
20:23 Jesus was giving the disciples their Spirit-powered and Spirit-
guided m
ission—to preach the Good News so people’s sins might be
forgiven. The disciples did not have the power to forgive sins (only God
can do that), but Jesus gave them the privilege of telling new believers
that their sins have been forgiven because they have accepted Jesus’
message (see the note on Matthew 16:19). All believers have this same
privilege. We can announce forgiveness of sins with certainty when we
ourselves have come to repentance and faith.
20:24-29 Have you ever wished you could actually see Jesus, touch
him, and hear his words? At times do you wish you could sit with him
and get his advice? Thomas wanted Jesus’ physical presence. But God’s
plan is wiser. He has not limited himself to one physical body; he wants
to be present with you at all times. Even now he is with you in the person