Doubting Thomas | A Sermon on John 20:24-29

Introduction
I was at a wedding this weekend, and two of the bridesmaids were twins—sisters I’ve known since they were in kindergarten. When they were kids, I could not tell them apart.  

I felt bad about it.  I felt like, as their pastor, I should be able to tell them apart.  Sometimes they would come for Holy Communion and I felt so bad I couldn't call them by name.  Sometimes I would try to play it off say Lauren and Lilly and serve them both together, but I'm sure I wasn't fooling anybody.  Other times I would just come clean and say “which one are you?”  They were always gracious.  I guess they were used to it.  

Now they’re 22, and it’s completely different.  I can tell exactly who’s who.  They still look similar, but there are subtle differences. 

I tell you all this because today, we’re going to read about a time the resurrected Christ appeared to His Disciples and the story involves a twin named Thomas.

Thomas’ name actually means ‘twin.’  It’s not certain that Thomas was a twin.  But his Aramaic name, Thomas, literally means twin.  And John also gives His Greek name, Didymus, which also means twin.  The most natural explanation is that he really did have a twin, even though the Bible never tells us who it was.  But I have a suspicion there are some of Thomas’ twins reading this right now--in the sense we share his doubting attitude from today’s Scripture. 

John 20:24-29
²⁴ One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin),^[a] was not with the others when Jesus came. ²⁵ They told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.”

²⁶ Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. ²⁷ Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!”

²⁸ “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed.

²⁹ Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”

“...Unless I See It”

All the other Disciples had seen Jesus (at the same time). And they told Thomas. Still, Thomas said “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.”

Now think about that. The Disciples were quite close. They'd spent at least 3 years living together as a tight-knit group—a band of brothers. They trusted each other. And they all witnessed the resurrected Jesus. But when they told Thomas they'd seen Jesus, Thomas said, “I won’t believe it unless I see it.”

Granted, their story was incredible, but still.  If 10 people I trusted with my life all told me something, I would at least consider it. But Thomas was a skeptic who wouldn't believe until he saw it with his own eyes and touched it with his own hands. 

There's a saying we use that seems to be obvious:  seeing is believing.  Of course that's true, right?  We think so, until we experience our eyes fooling us.

Can You Trust Your Eyes?
We want to trust our eyes. We think we can. But they're not infallible.  But you know who is?  Jesus.

One of my favorite verses is Proverbs 3:5 says,
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.”  This verse reminds us that we should trust in the Lord more than our own understanding.  I have learned this with my wife. 

Men, have you ever opened the refrigerator and can’t find something? I do that all the time.  And I call out something like "Honey, where's the ketchup?"  And my wife will say, "It's right there in the door!"  And I will look in the door and for the life of me can't see it.  And I will say "It's not there!"  And my wife will sigh and walk to the fridge and reach in the door right in front of my face and grab the ketchup.  There's something about men that when the light of the refrigerator comes on, the power of our eyesight decreases exponentially.  We can see a deer in the woods 200 yards away, but we cannot see the ketchup in the fridge 12 inches away.

And our minds don't always work well either.  We know about cognitive decline and diseases like Alzheimer's where our mental function is degraded.  But it's not just these disorders that affect us.  Our thinking is often greatly affected by my emotions.  In the winter, when it is so dark outside, I get a mild case of the SADs (Seasonal Arrhythmic Disorder).  I get grumpy and my wife will remind, "Oh, you'll be fine.  It's just dark and cold outside and you don't like it and your grumpy.  Spring is coming and you'll feel better soon.

Also, if I really want something, my thinking is often affected by my broken sense of desire.  And yes, I am smart and well-educated.  But that also means, I can be really good at rationalizing my own actions (even when I’m wrong).  

So, we can’t completely trust our own eyes or our own thinking.  But we can trust the Lord.  “Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.”

Wesleyan Quadrilateral
In Methodist circles, we like to think of four main ways we know God’s Truth.  First and foremost, the foundation of everything, is Scripture.  We base everything we teach and do and believe on God's unchanging Word.  This is God's Truth and it does not changing with the fickle opinions of society.  Scripture is a firm foundation of timeless truh to build our life upon.  It is the primary way we know God and how He wants us to live.

Next, we have tradition.  These are the teachings, practices, and wisdom passed down through the Church over time. We are not the first Christians to wrestle with questions of faith—believers for centuries have studied Scripture, prayed, and sought to follow Christ. Tradition reminds us we are part of something bigger than ourselves. It helps guide us so we’re not trying to figure everything out alone or reinvent the faith.  But tradition must also align with Scripture.  And if we find tradition is contrary to Scripture, we should change it.

Third, we have reason.  God gave us minds to think, to question, and to understand. Faith is not blind—it engages our intellect. We use reason to study Scripture, to discern truth from error, and to make sense of the world around us. But we also recognize that our reasoning is limited. We don’t rely on reason alone—we submit it to God’s greater wisdom.

Fourth, we have experience.  This includes both our personal experience with God and the shared experience of the Christian community. It’s how we see God at work in our lives—through prayer, transformation, peace, and conviction—but also how we see Him working in others and in the life of the Church. When we gather for worship, hear testimonies, serve together, and witness God moving among His people, that shapes our understanding of Him.  But even here, our experiences—both personal and communal—must always be tested by Scripture, because experiences can be powerful, but they are not always perfect.

Thomas doubted Jesus was really alive, because the resurrection didn’t seem reasonable.  Furthermore, it was so far outside the realm of normal human experience (even though Thomas had experienced a human ressurection--Jesus raised Lazarus from a tomb after he'd been dead for four days).  

But Jesus didn't abandon Thomas in his doubts.  Jesus was gracious and merciful.  He met Thomas where he was.  Thomas said, “Unless I see it with my own eyes and touch it with my own hands…”  And Jesus obliged.  Eight days went by and Jesus came again.  And He said to Thomas,  “Put your finger here…  Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!”  And Thomas believed.

The Blessing of Belief
Jesus also said something that applies to all of us today (becuase most of us never see the risen Jesus in the flesh the way the Disciples did).  Jesus said,
“Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”

Jesus often talked about faith—believing, trusting.
He said, “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can move mountains.” (Mt. 17:20)  He was impressed by faith in people whenever He found it.

Faith is the foundation of a relationship with God.  Hebrews 11:6 says, “Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”  Faith is so important.  And when we have faith without seeing, it is a true blessing.

Believing without seeing requires faith in who Jesus is.  It’s trusting His character, His Word, and His promises.

Believing without seeing grows stronger, more mature faith.  Seeing can convince you in a moment, but faith built over time produces endurance, trust, and spiritual depth.

Believing without seeing keeps us seeking and walking with God daily.  If we saw everything clearly, we might become complacent.  Instead, faith keeps us praying, seeking, and depending upon God day by day.

Believing without seeing leads to a greater reward.  Jesus calls it a blessing.  There is a special blessing reserved for those who trust Jesus when they can’t see Him.

Conclusion
What are you doubting today?  Maybe you are doubting if God is really there.  Maybe you have doubts about Jesus:  Did He really rise from the dead?  Is He really the only way?  Can I trust what the Bible says about Him?

Or maybe you have other doubts:  Is my faith strong enough?  Am I really saved?  Why didn’t God answer my prayer?  Does God actually love me?  Why do Christians act this way?

If you’ve ever had questions, if you’ve ever struggled to believe, then you have something in common with Thomas.  He’s kind of like your twin.  
Take courage.  Jesus didn’t reject Thomas for his doubt—He met him in it.
And I believe, Jesus will meet you in your doubts too—if you will let Him.

 

 

The Doubting Thomas Story | A Sermon from John 20:24-29

Introduction
We’ve been studying stories from Scripture about the resurrected Christ.  And I think it is fitting today for graduate Sunday that we look at the famous story of “doubting Thomas”.  Although graduation is a time of great celebration and joy, it can also be a time of doubts, fear, and anxiety because graduation marks a significant time of life change.  Graduates, and their families, are walking into an unknown future.  We believe, by faith, it is a bright future.  We are excited for the new challenges ahead, but the unknown is a foggy mist that clouds what lies ahead and can make the road an anxious one to travel.

The Disciple Thomas wrestled with what he could not see.  He was absent the first time the resurrected Jesus appeared to the other disciples.  Though they testified he cold not believe something he had not yet seen.  Perhaps his story will encourage our graduates, their families, and all of us today.

John 20;24-29
²⁴ One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin),^[a] was not with the others when Jesus came. ²⁵ They told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.”

²⁶ Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. ²⁷ Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!”

²⁸ “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed.

²⁹ Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”

Show Up to Go Up
Thomas had doubts, but he still showed up.  I don’t know why Thomas was absent the first time Jesus appeared to the disciples, but I’m glad he didn’t give up.  He’s quite honest in sharing his doubt.  Even though the other Disciples are adamant:  “We have seen the Lord!”  Thomas was skeptical:  “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.”  He doubted, but he didn’t walk away.  He stayed connected with the other disciples.  And because of that, Thomas eventually saw Jesus too.

In uncertain times, it’s so important that we keep showing up—in worship, in prayer, in Christian community.  It’s ok to have your doubts, but don’t give up.  Show up.  Eventually, Jesus showed up for Thomas. He’ll show up for you, too.

Graduates, your young adult years are some of the most formative of your whole life.  Today, you are just barely out of high school—still children in your own thinking.  Over the next 4-5 years, you will have some of the most important experiences and make some of the most important decisions of your life.  Decisions about college, work, career, marriage, children…  Choices that will chart the course of the rest of your life.  And you will be making these decisions for yourselves as adults, not under the direction of your parents.  (Of course your parents will still love and support and advise you, but it will be different than when you were a child.)  These are years you need faith and direction from God.  Don’t walk away from Him in these years when you need God the most.  Show up for Him (even if you doubt) and Jesus will show up for you just as He showed up for Thomas.

Faith and doubt can coexist.  Thomas’ story names our doubts and reminds us doubt isn’t the enemy of faith.  Honest questions can lead to stronger, deeper faith.  Jesus isn’t afraid of your questions; He welcomes them because he knows they are opportunities to be real and go deeper. 

Seek a Personal Faith
Being honest about your doubts and yet continuing to show up is how we seek a personal faith that’s real and makes a difference.  Thomas didn’t want to hang his hopes on the faith of the other apostles.  No, Thomas didn’t just want hearsay—he wanted his own experience with Jesus.  He wanted to touch Jesus’ wounds.  He wanted to see for himself.

And for us, seeing for ourselves builds a faith that is firm and real.  Having experienced the risen Christ for myself over the years steadies me through whatever difficulties I face.  I know Jesus is real because I talk to Him every day.  I have seen Him in countless moments of ministry.  And I have felt His comfort in the darkest nights of my soul.  But I want all of you to have your own personal faith in Jesus.  When troubles come or you ultimately face the dark day of death, you don’t want your faith to be something you borrowed from me (or anyone else).  You want it to be your own personal experience of the risen Jesus.  So keep on seeking your own personal relationship with Jesus.

For We Walk by Faith, Not by Sight
But even with that being said, I want you to know that relationship comes by faith, not by sight.  Jesus said, “Blessed are those who believe without seeing.”  Doubting Thomas was given a rare opportunity when Jesus showed up and said, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side.”  It doesn’t happen that way for most of us.  Most of us must learn to believe without seeing, but Jesus says it is a greater blessing when we do.

It is not that we believe blindly.  The evidence is there.  We can “see” Jesus in a myriad of moments.  I hope our graduates have “seen” Jesus in their parents’ love, in our congregation’s support, and in the ways we’ve worked together to bless our community.  Perhaps they have seen Jesus in their friends or in the way someone has walked through adversity.  When we view life through the lens of faith it can reveal the risen Christ among us and can equip us to face the unknown with incredible spiritual fortitude.  This is true blessing.

After graduation (and in life in general), the path is rarely clear.  There is very little growth or reward if we always remain hidden in the mediocrity of our comfort zones.  We must at least occasionally be bold and have the faith to step out and take some risks to be rewarded with the full blessing Jesus wants to bestow.

Doubting Thomas learned to walk by faith too.  His faith in Christ led him to walk all the way from Jerusalem to India (over 3,000 miles), sharing his faith in the resurrected Christ’s all along the way.  To this day, there are churches in Syria and India that trace their founding to Thomas’ ministry.

Where will your faith in Jesus lead you?  Learn to trust Jesus step by step, even when you can’t see the full picture.

Beautiful Scars
Thomas touched Jesus’ wounds.  How do we “touch” Jesus now?  I can think of several ways.  We can touch Him through worship.  We can touch Him through Scripture.  We can touch Him through the Church and through loving service.  We can touch Him through the sacraments—as we encourage one another through baptism and as we partake of His body and blood in Holy Communion.  We touch Him whenever we participate in any of these by faith and we can touch Him through the relationships we have with each other.

Notice, that Jesus didn’t hide His scars from Thomas or any of the disciples.  Jesus’ scars became proof of His identity.  His scars were beautiful scars because they showed how much He loves us.  Graduates (and everyone):  Perhaps you have some wounds of your own.  Perhaps you will receive new wounds in the days and years ahead.  But don’t forget this truth Jesus reveals:  Your wounds and experiences shape you. Jesus’ scars are proof that suffering is not erased by resurrection but transformed through it into something beautiful.

If you put your faith in Jesus, the scars you have now and whatever wounds you receive in the future can have meaning.  The pain is real, but Christ has the power to transform it all into something for which you will be eternally thankful and proudly display as a testament to the goodness of God.

The Call Forward
Jesus commissions all His disciples—even doubters.  As we read in Matthew 28:19-20 last week, Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all the nations,^[a] baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. ²⁰ Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Graduation is not the end—it’s the beginning of your mission.  Walk by faith.  Live with hope.  Go forth with courage.  And trust in the risen Lord.  This is a call forward for our graduates and for all of us.