HANDS
AND SIDE PIERCED
Fourth
of seven in Passion for Redemption
Parallel Bible Series
Zechariah
12:10, John 20:25-29
Zechariah
12:10: “And I will pour out on the house
of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and
supplication. They will look on me, the
one they have pierced and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only
child, and grieve bitterly for him as a firstborn son.”
John
20:27: “Then He said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; see My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My
side. Stop doubting and believe.’”
The
lesson linked below shows why people began calling disbelieving friends “Doubting
Thomas”. But something else happened in
the house where the disciples had gathered.
The doors were locked, and Christ just suddenly appeared. Those glorified bodies will truly be awesome,
folks!
I could talk a long time about
Jesus’ powers. But that’s not the message
the Spirit wants me to write today. The
Scripture in John happened over the course of eight days. The disciples, minus Thomas, had seen the risen
Christ last Sabbath, and Jesus appeared the following Sabbath. Eight days later. Both times the disciples were gathered
together in a religious setting when Jesus came to them.
The doors were locked for a
reason. The disciples were scared. They needed privacy for fellowship and worship. They remained in Jerusalem after Jesus’ death
and resurrection. They found comfort and
encouragement among fellow believers. Jerusalem
was probably electric. Wouldn’t you imagine the city was divided with mixtures
of people debating the “Jesus Issue”?
Again, the Spirit wants me to
abandon this interesting subject…okay. Jesus
made special effort to “drop in” a second time when He knew Thomas would be
present. This puts Jesus in a category
all by Himself. He is deeply concerned
with every detail of people’s individual faith.
Thomas mattered to Jesus. Jesus
wanted Thomas to believe—his eternal destiny was at stake!
That’s an example for Jesus’
followers. We’re to care deeply about
other’s belief in Jesus, too. And we’re also
to be sensitive about others’ beliefs.
Some faiths are strong, while others not-so-much. Jesus didn’t embarrass Thomas. Gently, He offered Himself as proof of His
resurrection.
Romans 15:1-2 says, “We who are
strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not please
ourselves. Each of us should please his
neighbor for his good, to build him up.”
If we are faithless, we are Christless (1 John 5:11-12). Christless people are graceless, hopeless and
joyless.
Take Home Nugget
Notice
that Thomas didn’t leave. Nor did the
other disciples force him to leave. They
continued to be devoted to one another.
The world will know believers by our
love.
J.D. Griffith
A personal, private lesson experience with our
staff
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