Thomas, the Doubter

Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. John 20:29.
When Jesus first met the disciples in the upper chamber [following His resurrection], Thomas was not with them. He heard the reports of the others, and received abundant proof that Jesus had risen; but gloom and unbelief filled his heart…. He was determined not to believe, and for a whole week he brooded over his wretchedness, which seemed all the darker in contrast with the hope and faith of his brethren…. He ardently loved his Lord, but he had allowed jealousy and unbelief to take possession of his mind and heart.
[He] firmly and self-confidently affirmed that he would not believe unless he should put his fingers in the prints of the nails and his hand in the side where the cruel spear was thrust….
When Jesus again met with His disciples, Thomas was with them…. And Jesus gave him the evidence which he had desired.
His heart leaped for joy, and he cast himself at the feet of Jesus crying, “My Lord and my God.” Jesus accepted his acknowledgment, but gently reproved his unbelief….
Many who, like Thomas, wait for all cause of doubt to be removed, will never realize their desire. They gradually become confirmed in unbelief….
In His treatment of Thomas, Jesus gave a lesson for His followers. His example shows how we should treat those whose faith is weak, and who make their doubts prominent. Jesus did not overwhelm Thomas with reproach, nor did He enter into controversy with him. He revealed Himself to the doubting one. Thomas had been most unreasonable in dictating the conditions of his faith, but Jesus, by His generous love and consideration, broke down all the barriers. Unbelief is seldom overcome by controversy…. But let Jesus, in His love and mercy, be revealed as the crucified Saviour, and from many once unwilling lips will be heard the acknowledgment of Thomas, “My Lord and my God.”
Conflict and Courage p. 328
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Prayer Requests
—–Please pray for a Bible study I am having with a Jehovah’s Witness. LB
—–Please pray for my mothers safety and mine also. I am living around two demon possessed people that have been putting curses on my mom and I. Connie
—–I’m asking prayer for my daughter and her family. Her husband has aspergers, which makes it hard for him, and for others. I know God allowed him to have this, so I believe He will show a way to help him with his needs. Sharon
—–update—Even though Jasmin is still all hooked up to machines, including still being on the bypass, they have lifted some of her sedation and she is responding. She’s squeezing hands and moving around a bit. Her vitals are good, her organs are functioning good and they may try feeding her through a tube later today and maybe just maybe they will possibly start seeing if they can start weaning her off the machines soon, in the next few days. The blood clots may not be all gone, but they are hopeful that they are dissolving. Some of the swelling seems to be down too. She does not have pneumonia, it was blood in her lungs from the blood clot. So that’s encouraging too. Please, please keep praying for her and that she will make a full recovery. Lynn
—–please pray for my mother she’s in a lot of pain and has been for a few weeks and needs relief and rest. Doctors have not been in yet to make their decision about how to handle her future care. Susan
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Dear Friends,
Some years ago, Ron, Mike, and Eileen went to the Eisenhower museum up in Abilene. Most of the historical facts Ron already knew, but there was one part that was new to him. During World War II, the US used various methods to confuse the enemy. One of the most interesting was the dummy paratroopers that were filled with firecrackers. Hundreds of these dummies would be dropped by parachute in a particular area far from where the US was going to actually be. As the dummies were descending, the enemy would hear the firecrackers going off. To them it sounded like small arms fire and they would rush to the area and return fire. The exploding firecrackers as well as the enemy fire would totally destroy the dummies by the time they landed, so by the time the enemy felt actually got to there, all they found were empty parachutes. In their minds, they were sure that the US soldiers were hiding and just waiting for the right moment to spring upon them. In this way, the real battle had fewer enemy soldiers, for most of them were busy looking for men who did not exist.
As Ron was telling me about this, I couldn’t help thinking how many times the devil does the same thing by getting us so sidetracked on unimportant issues, that we miss the really vital ones. Paul admonishes us, “shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker.” 2 Tim 2:16,17 He warns, “grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.” These “wolves” are “proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.” Acts 20:29,30; 1 Tim 6:4,5 How often we see this today.
By keeping our minds on these unimportant side issues, these evil surmisings, these disputings the evil one is winning the battle. How important it is that we recognize another of his sidetracking plans. How often he tempts us to become as were the Pharisees of old. They had added so many man-made rules and regulations to the ones that God had given, that they made life a burden. For example, before they ate, they dipped their hands in water a certain number of times letting a certain number of drops to drip off from their elbows.
Another example of their man-made regulations was dealing with the Sabbath. The rabbis had so filled God’s Holy Day with rules and regulations that they spoiled the very day God had given to mankind to be a draw them closer to Himself. These blind guides (Matt 23:24) taught the people that it was a sin to carry a handkerchief on the Sabbath, so in order to get around that man-made law, the people pinned their handkerchief to their garment. The rabbis also taught that it was a sin to spit on the ground on the Sabbath because in doing so they were watering the plants on the ground. How ridiculous! It is no wonder that the Scribes and Pharisees were always accusing Jesus of Sabbath breaking because He ignored the man-made regulations that had made the Sabbath a burden. He explained that He “is Lord also of the Sabbath” and revealed to them as well as to us true Sabbath keeping. Luke 6:5
How vital to keep focused on our Dear Saviour and what He has revealed throughout His Holy Word. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Tim 3:16,17 May we “Study to show [ourselves] approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2Tim 2:15 May we ask for the eyesalve of the Holy Spirit that we may recognize the deceptions of the enemy. (Rev 3:18) May we “follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life” that someday soon, we will see look up and say, “Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.” Isa 25:9
Rose