Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” And after eight days the disciples were again inside and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst and said, “Peace to you!” Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here and look at My hand; and reach your hand here and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord, and my God!” John 20: 24-28, NKJV (Emphasis provided).
Heavenly Father, as we begin our study today, we rejoice in the fact that You are more willing to reveal Yourself to us, than we are willing to ask for this revelation. Nonetheless LORD, please show us Your glory! In Jesus’ name we pray! Amen.
Yesterday we ended our conversation on the note that, all who want to know God’s will, will know it (John 7: 17). I do not believe too much emphasis can be made on behalf of guarding well the gift of individuality that God has given to each and every one of us. I believe that our individuality is so special to God, that it is actually sacred! Two people may arrive at the same decision, but the processs in arriving at that particular decision may be quite different. That is why I feel so strongly about the individualized thought process. I believe, that it is in the process of decision-making that people grow. How will you grow, if you leave the responsibility of your decision-making to someone else?
During the “Dark Ages” when the clergy took it upon themselves to read and interpret Scripture for the common people, they were robbing men and women, boys and girls, of spiritual, intellectual, and moral, growth! That must never be allowed to happen! Do not forget that, “A mind is a terrible thing to waste [lose]!” We must not allow ourselves to become lethargic, and especially, in spiritual things! While we must not allow our minds to become so trapped in doubt that we do not believe anything; let us not become so opinionless that we begin to believe everything! I hear Jesus saying: “Thomas, there are those, who like you need to see something on which to base their faith, until it is strong enough to stand alone. But the blessing is for those who do not need to see in order to believe.”
“And after eight days…” Jesus gave Thomas eight days to think about what he had heard. “Time is of the essence,” is a truism that is given different meanings, in different situations, and by different people. As I studied this Scripture, the thought that came to me was the following: Thomas needed time to think over what he had heard for his faith to reach the necessary maturity. Couldn’t Jesus have reappeared right away, and convinced Thomas that indeed, it was He? I believe He could; but it is interesting to note, that He did not!
This might be an opportunity for us to learn a valuable lesson in soul winning. Our part is to present truth to people as plainly, and as convincingly, as we can. Some, like the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8), will accept and request baptism right away. Others, like Phillip will need time to digest the truth. But through the power of conviction provided by the Holy Spirit, will eventually make their decision to believe. Others like king Agrippa, might decide not to give in to their convictions (Acts 26: 27, 28). To resist truth is very dangerous, but God will respect our decisions.
We will continue tomorrow.