Week 24, Day 1: Doubting Thomas
Today’s Reading: John 21:1-25; 1 John 1:1-10
Some thoughts from Friday’s reading…
We often hear about “doubting Thomas”, and we are often hard on him for requiring the proof of seeing Jesus, and putting his fingers into the holes of Jesus’ hands and feet. But, perhaps we need to reconsider our harsh judgment, and examine what John records for us in a bit more detail.
Thomas heard the testimony of the other disciples, but was unwilling to believe it until he saw the evidence for himself. Once he saw the Lord for himself, he readily accepted that this was Christ and that He had been raised from the dead. Jesus did not rebuke Thomas for wanting to see the evidence, but rather said that those who believed without seeing Him would be blessed. Jesus did not, however, say that He wanted people to believe without evidence. In fact, if we follow the context, the very next thing that John writes about is the evidence that was supplied in the very epistle that he was writing. The things that he wrote about were for the purpose of providing evidence for those who would never have the benefit of touching the holes in Jesus’ hands and side.
Thomas could have accepted the testimony of the other disciples. He probably should have accepted that testimony, and believed in the resurrection of Christ. But, he required more evidence. We need to require evidence before we believe. God has provided ample evidence for belief in two basic ways: the revelation of the created world, and the revelation of the written word. We can examine the evidence that has been left for us and conclude that Jesus is indeed raised from the dead, and that He has left us with commands that we must follow if we are to be faithful to Him.
There is nothing wrong with asking for evidence. In fact, more people in the religious world should do just that. They should ask for evidence to support claims of modern day healing. They should ask for evidence to support doctrines that are so prevalent in the world today. The sad fact is, that there is no evidence to support those things. We should accept those things that have evidence to support them, and do away with all the “religious” practices and beliefs that have no supporting evidence!
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Week 23, Day 5: Unity with the Father
Today’s Reading: John 19:1-20:31
Some thoughts from yesterday’s reading…
Chapter 17 of John contains a prayer by Jesus for the disciples to have unity. In this prayer Jesus ask that the disciples be one as He is one with the Father (17:21-22). I want to take the opportunity to point out a few verses here and ones that we have already read that point to the deity of Christ. Deity meaning that Jesus is God. As stated in these verses, Jesus is one with the Father. Also verse 5 speaks about the Father glorifying Jesus with Himself with the glory He had with Him before the world began. Jesus shared glory with the Father before this world was started. My question to those who deny the deity of Jesus is would God share His glory with another? In John 5:23 Jesus spoke of all the people honoring Him even as they honor the Father. Knowing that God is a jealous God who will not share His people with other so called gods (Exo 20:4-5), is it then consistent to say that God would allow people to honor Jesus as they honor the Father? These things only make sense if Jesus is deity?
If Jesus is not one with the Father, then how can Jesus say that all things that the Father has are His (16:15, 17:10)? The things that Jesus says does not reflect that He is just “a god” but that He is God. Nor can these statements be made if Jesus is just a prophet or a good teacher. A man or a prophet cannot make these kind of claims.
Although the emphasis of chapter 17 is not on Jesus’ deity I think several points are made that show this to be true. The emphasis of the chapter is on the need for unity among the disciples. We ought to be one just as Jesus is one with the Father. We ought to be perfected in unity so that the world may know that Jesus is true and was sent from the Father. Too often infighting and division ravage the church and cause it to be less than what it could be. People look upon this and have a reason to criticise God’s word and faith in Jesus. Let brotherly love abound and let the bond of peace help keep us sanctified in the truth.
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Week 23, Day 2: The Raising of Lazarus
Today’s Reading: John 13:1-14:31
Some thoughts from yesterday’s reading…
I am impressed with the response that Jesus gets from raising Lazarus from the dead. The group of Jews that accompanied Martha, Mary and Jesus to the tomb bare witness to the miracle. A man dead for four days, decay has begun and the smell would’ve been strong. At Jesus’ command this man comes forth alive, still bound in burial cloths. Wow! Certainly this would be enough for all to believe. But, some of those eyewitnesses go off to the Pharisees. The wording in 11:45-46 leads me to believe that these men did not believe in Jesus even after the miracle and went to report and plot with the Pharisees. I have met at least one person while door knocking who said he would not believe in Jesus unless he saw Him coming down the street riding a donkey’s colt. Others have said that what we need today is the working of miracles to instill faith in people. If the Jews who witnessed this miracle first hand did not believe, how can people think that miracles automatically bring forth faith?
Also, when you consider the crowds in Jerusalem, they had heard about Jesus raising Lazarus and sought to see Jesus and Lazarus. The crowd welcomed Jesus (at first) as the king of Israel. But when Jesus’ teaching does not match what they think the Christ is going to do (He says He will be lifted up) then they are troubled and do not believe in Him (12:32-34, 37). Again, we see that even though Jesus did the miracles that should have been proof for everyone to believe and accept His words, they were not willing to let go of their own concepts in order to follow Him. Miracles neither forced someone to believe nor made someone accept the teachings of Jesus. The miracles simply provided the evidence needed to those who would be willing to consider these things and acept them from an open heart.
Today we do not have the miracles, but we still have the evidence and are still looking for those who would consider these things and accept them from an open heart.
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Week 22, Day 5: The Master of Discourse
Today’s Reading: John 9:1-10:42
Some thoughts from yesterday’s reading…
We can see in chapters 7 & 8 some examples of why the Pharisees would eventually come to the point of not asking Jesus any more questions – they could not compete with the truth He spoke. Many times Jesus gave the Jews logical answers or asked them logical questions for which they had no good answers. 7:21-24 is one of those times where Jesus presents His case so well. If Moses commanded circumcision and on the Sabbath it is done to complete what the Law commands, then why were they upset that Jesus had healed a man and made him whole on the Sabbath. It was a very good point and should have made the Pharisees consider what He said. But as we all know, discussions are not always based on logic, depending on the person’s intentions. The Pharisees had their minds made up and no matter how good the point was that Jesus made, they were determined not to hear Him.
Another example of the lack of logic behind the Pharisees actions is seen in 7:50-52. Nicodemus asked a good question, “Our Law does not judge a man unless it first hears from him and knows what he is doing, does it?” This is a good point and one that should be easy to answer. And yet the reply is more of an insult or an act of belittling Nicodemus. “You are not from Galilee, are you?” What kind of response is that unless you are just trying to silence someone.
When we are discussing God’s word with others, let us remember these examples. Our patience will be tested at times because we can make the most sensible, well thought out point and the person may try to divert from answering the question by going in a different direction (dodging the question) or by trying to turn the discussion into an attempt to slander you (name calling). Those who are serious about learning the truth will be easy to recognize because they will think about what you said. They will search these things out. But let us also remember that we may need to suffer long with those whom we are trying to teach because the walls they have put up may not come down quickly. Let us be gentle and not loose our composure. Sinking to the tactics of name calling or heated insults does not avail us anything in helping them to see the truth.
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Week 22, Day 4: Why Do We Seek Jesus?
Today’s Reading: John 7:1-8:59
Some thoughts from yesterday’s reading…
In John chapter 6, John records for us the account of Jesus feeding the 5000. Not long after this, Jesus came into Capernaum, and was followed there by those that had been a part of the crowd that had been fed. They were seeking Jesus, but for the wrong reasons. In fact, when they found Jesus, He told them plainly that they were seeking Him, not for the signs that He had performed, but rather for the food (John 6:26). He encouraged them to work for the food which does not perish, rather than that which does.
It is interesting to read this passage and then take note of the religious, denominational world. Just tonight, I drove past a church that had a big sign out front advertising a free meal. Not surprisingly, there was a line forming at the door, mostly of transients who were looking for a free meal. Those people were not looking for Christ (and were certainly not going to truly find Him there). They only cared about finding something to fill their bellies. They are much like those people who followed Jesus around, hoping for a free meal. Notice that Jesus was not going to entertain their ideas about what He should do. He refused to give them another meal, as it was not something that was needed at the time. But, the denominational world continues to offer food as the impetus by which they draw people into their assemblies.
Many in the Lord’s church come dangerously close to the same concept. They will not hold out food, but they will hold out all manner of other “freebies” to get people to “come to church” with them. It seems almost like bribing people to attend worship services. They will mow grass in exchange for a person coming to church. Or they will give gifts to people with the string attached that they must come to church. There is certainly nothing wrong with helping our neighbors out, in fact it is something we should be doing, and doing more of! And there is nothing wrong with inviting people to study the Bible with us, or to come to our assemblies. Again, that is something that we should be doing! But, we should not be trying to entice people into our assemblies or our home bible studies by making them feel guilty or feel like they owe it to us. The gospel is a message that is freely given and freely received. No one should feel like they have to listen to God’s message. God permits free choice, and so should we.
So, why do we seek Jesus? Is it because of the “extras” that have been offered? Or is it because we have “seen the signs” and know that the evidence supports our belief in Him? Hopefully it is the latter, as the former will not provide salvation for our souls!
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Week 22, Day 3: God’s Will, Our Sustenance?
Today’s Reading: John 5:1-6:71
Some thoughts from yesterday’s reading…
In John 4:31-38, John records a situation in which Jesus uses the physical needs to illustrate a spiritual point. The disciples were encouraging Jesus to get something to eat, and He responded by saying that He had food that they did not know of. They were so focused on the physical that they had no idea that He was making a spiritual point. He told the disciples that His “food” was to do the will of the Father and finish His work. This statement should make us think about our responsibilities as well. How important do we view doing the will of God?
Christ was determined to finish the will of the Father. He viewed this responsibility as His very sustenance. He had to have do it. He would not quit until it was completed. Do we take God’s will for us so seriously? Do we really think of doing His work as our sustenance? Many people simply do not think of the work of God as being that important. They will do a bit of it here and there if they can fit it into their busy schedules, and if it does not interfere with something they want to do. If they want to participate in some sin, they don’t think it very important to keep to the work of God.
God expects us to make Him and His work our top priority. That means that every decision that we make should be centered on His will–what would He have us do? If we have that type of attitude, we will sustain ourselves on the will of the Lord. Doing His will is the only thing that will ensure our spiritual health and well-being. Is doing the Lord’s will our food? Or do we merely “snack” spiritually?
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