| New Knowledge for the Skeptic |
New Knowledge for the Skeptic
And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!"
— John 20:28
Thomas, one of Jesus' disciples, had the nickname Doubting Thomas,
but I think that is a bit unfair. I have always thought of Thomas as more
of a skeptic than a doubter. After all, Thomas did not ask for a special
revelation from Jesus. He simply asked for the same proof the other
disciples had (see John 20:25). Thomas was the kind of guy who
wanted to know for himself. He was his own man. He would not let
others do his thinking for him.
What did Jesus do with such a man? He made a special resurrection
appearance for him. He condescended to Thomas and his desire to
know for himself. What amazes me about this is that Jesus came to
Thomas on his level. He didn't rebuke him. He didn't humiliate him. He
could see that deep down in Thomas's heart, he really wanted to know
God. Jesus came to him and said, "Reach your finger here, and look at
My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be
unbelieving, but believing" (John 20:27).
I like Thomas, because by nature I, too, am a skeptical person. I have
never been one to believe something just because someone says it is
true.
You might be someone who is a bit skeptical, a bit unsure of your faith.
You may have a lot of questions. Deep down inside, you want to know
God. You want to know for yourself. The risen Lord has something for
you. He can turn your skepticism into belief.
Just come to Him with your questions. Come to Him with your doubts.
You, too, will be able to say, "My Lord and my God!"
And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!"
— John 20:28
Thomas, one of Jesus' disciples, had the nickname Doubting Thomas,
but I think that is a bit unfair. I have always thought of Thomas as more
of a skeptic than a doubter. After all, Thomas did not ask for a special
revelation from Jesus. He simply asked for the same proof the other
disciples had (see John 20:25). Thomas was the kind of guy who
wanted to know for himself. He was his own man. He would not let
others do his thinking for him.
What did Jesus do with such a man? He made a special resurrection
appearance for him. He condescended to Thomas and his desire to
know for himself. What amazes me about this is that Jesus came to
Thomas on his level. He didn't rebuke him. He didn't humiliate him. He
could see that deep down in Thomas's heart, he really wanted to know
God. Jesus came to him and said, "Reach your finger here, and look at
My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be
unbelieving, but believing" (John 20:27).
I like Thomas, because by nature I, too, am a skeptical person. I have
never been one to believe something just because someone says it is
true.
You might be someone who is a bit skeptical, a bit unsure of your faith.
You may have a lot of questions. Deep down inside, you want to know
God. You want to know for yourself. The risen Lord has something for
you. He can turn your skepticism into belief.
Just come to Him with your questions. Come to Him with your doubts.
You, too, will be able to say, "My Lord and my God!"
| C4W Devotions are used by permission from Harvest Ministries with Greg Laurie P.O. Box 4000 Riverside , CA 92514 |