Doubting Thomas – John 20

Joy:  You’re listening to the Lifting Her Voice podcast, Episode #88.  Today we’ll read John chapter 20 together:  Mary, Peter, and John discover the empty tomb; Doubting Thomas was a real guy; and John shares the purpose of what he wrote.

Welcome to the Lifting Her Voice podcast.  I’m your host, Joy Miller, and I invite you to grab your Bible and join me as we simply read God’s word together.  Some things require discipline and sometimes that’s just not easy to muster by yourself, no matter how badly you want to do it or how much you know you should.  It’s just easier to do it with a friend.  So refill your coffee or tea, get comfortable in your favorite chair and follow along as I read aloud.  I’m so glad you’re here!

The first time I ever read the story of Thomas, I was giddy.  Is it weird that I love discovering things in the Bible that we refer to everyday?  So many times, I’ve said, “I didn’t know that was in the Bible!”  Here are some examples: ”I can see the handwriting on the wall,” comes from the book of Daniel; “drop in the bucket,” from the book of Isaiah; and “scapegoat” from the book of Leviticus, just to name a few.  And if you’ve wondered where the term “Doubting Thomas” comes from?  Hang on, you’re about to learn.  My husband is a Doubting Thomas.  He has to ‘see’.   How many Doubting Thomases do you have in your life?  Are you a Doubting Thomas?  I see no condemnation here.  Jesus knew exactly who Thomas was, and he provided for him what he needed to believe…and he will do the same for us.

John Chapter 20:  1 On the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark. She saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. 2 So she ran to Simon Peter and to the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put Him!” 3 At that, Peter and the other disciple went out, heading for the tomb. 4 The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and got to the tomb first. 5 Stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying there, yet he did not go in. 6 Then, following him, Simon Peter came also. He entered the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there. 7 The wrapping that had been on His head was not lying with the linen cloths but was folded up in a separate place by itself. 8 The other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, then entered the tomb, saw, and believed. 9 For they still did not understand the Scripture that He must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went home again. 11 But Mary stood outside facing the tomb, crying. As she was crying, she stooped to look into the tomb. 12 She saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet, where Jesus’ body had been lying. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “Because they’ve taken away my Lord,” she told them, “and I don’t know where they’ve put Him.” 14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, though she did not know it was Jesus. 15 “Woman,” Jesus said to her, “why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Supposing He was the gardener, she replied, “Sir, if you’ve removed Him, tell me where you’ve put Him, and I will take Him away.” 16 Jesus said, “Mary.” Turning around, she said to Him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” is also used in Mk 10:51 -which means “Teacher.” 17 “Don’t cling to Me,” Jesus told her, “for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to My brothers and tell them that I am ascending to My Father and your Father-to My God and your God.” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them what He had said to her. 19 In the evening of that first day of the week, the disciples were [gathered together] with the doors locked because of their fear of the Jews. Then Jesus came, stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” 20 Having said this, He showed them His hands and His side. So the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” 22 After saying this, He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain [the sins of] any, they are retained.” 24 But one of the Twelve, Thomas (called “Twin”), was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples kept telling him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “If I don’t see the mark of the nails in His hands, put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will never believe!” 26 After eight days His disciples were indoors again, and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them. He said, “Peace to you!” 27 Then He said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and observe My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Don’t be an unbeliever, but a believer.” 28 Thomas responded to Him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said, “Because you have seen Me, you have believed. Those who believe without seeing are blessed.” 30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of His disciples that are not written in this book. 31 But these are written so that you may believe Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and by believing you may have life in His name.

Did you catch the last verse in the Thomas story?  Verse 29?  Jesus was talking about – and encouraging – those of us who would follow 2000 years later.  And speaking of encouragement, how about the final two verses of the chapter?  Allow me to read them again:  “Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”  You know, we will never know it all or have all of our questions answered this side of heaven.  But enough was recorded so that we can believe.  If you have never made the decision to believe, never turned your life over to the care and control of Jesus in the form of the Holy Spirit, 2 Corinthians 6:2 says in part, “…now is the day of salvation!”  I encourage you to pray.  Don’t worry about eloquence because God knows your heart.  Use your own words but maybe something like this:  “Jesus, I believe You are who You say You are.  I invite You into my life to save me from God’s judgement of sin.  I am so sorry for my sins, both the ones I’ve already committed and the ones I’ll probably commit tomorrow.  Please forgive me.  Please be my Lord and help me to live the kind of life that pleases You; I give it all to You. Amen.”  If you took that step or when you take that step, tell someone!  Your parents, your spouse, your kids, or you can email me at liftinghervoice.com.  I would love to celebrate with you.  Get connected with a good Bible-believing church and grow.  Let’s pray.  Dear Lord, I rejoice with the angels for anyone whose name is now written Your Book of Life.  Thank You.  And thank You for calling John to write this Gospel account.  He has a special way of teaching us about Jesus.  Amen.

Thank you for joining me here today.  I pray God will grow in you what has been planted and watered here.  In this time of unprecedented struggle worldwide, we can look to God for guidance and comfort.  Be sensitive to those in your circle of influence who need a word of encouragement and invite them to join us.  If you like this show, it would be great if you give it a five-star review.  Don’t forget to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.  See you right here tomorrow.  Be well!

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Christian Standard Bible(r), Copyright (c) 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible(r) and CSB(r) are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.