Monday Devo
Scripture:
John 20:24-29
24 One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came. 25 They told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.” 26 Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” 28 “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed. 29 Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”
1 Corinthians 15:14
And if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless.
24 One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came. 25 They told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.” 26 Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” 28 “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed. 29 Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”
1 Corinthians 15:14
And if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless.
Commentary:
20:28 Thomas’s confession of Jesus as his Lord (Gk. Kyrios) and God (Gk. Theos) provides a literary link with the references to Jesus as God in the prologue (1:1, 18). This is one of the strongest texts in the NT on the deity of Christ (see 1:1). Some cults try to explain away this clear affirmation of Jesus’ deity by arguing that Thomas’s statement was merely an exclamation of astonishment that, in effect, took God’s name in vain. Such an explanation is unthinkable, however, given the strong Jewish moral convictions of the day and because it is not consistent with the text, which explicitly says that Thomas said these words to him, that is, to Jesus. Thomas’s statement is in fact a clear confession of his newly found faith in Jesus as his Lord and God. John’s entire purpose in writing this book is that all readers come to confess Jesus as their Lord and God in the same way that Thomas did.
Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 2071.
Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 2071.
Questions:
Brandon kicked off the sermon talking about "if/then" logic. The most important "if/then" question of our life hinges entirely on the resurrection. Our faith isn't built on blind faith, but rather it is is anchored in an avalanche of historical, logical proof.
- Many people describe our faith as a blind faith, but Christianity is rooted in real historical events. As you consider the evidence for Jesus' resurrection: His execution, the early accounts, the empty tomb, and the eyewitness testimonies, how does that strengthen your confidence in who Jesus is?
- Thomas wanted evidence before he was willing to believe Jesus had risen from the dead. Why do you think Jesus responded to Thomas with patience instead of condemnation? What does that teach us about bringing our questions and doubts to God? Where have you been doubting God recently?
- Paul said that if Jesus did not rise from the dead, the Christian faith falls apart. Why is the resurrection such a foundational belief? How does Jesus' victory over death confirm that He is exactly who He claimed to be?
Prayer Topics:
- Ask God to strengthen your faith and help you build your confidence on the truth of Jesus' resurrection rather than on feelings or circumstances.
- Bring any questions, doubts, or uncertainties to God, trusting that He welcomes honesty and is faithful to reveal Himself.
- Thank God that the truth of the gospel is grounded in real history and that He has given us good reasons to trust in Jesus and His promises.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
7. How can I trust that the Bible is still God’s Word today? I trust the Bible is still God’s Word today because Jesus rose from the dead, proving He was God and said His words would never pass away. Through the Holy Spirit, God inspired the writing of the Scripture, determined the canon of Scripture and protected the copying of Scripture so that we might know Him and worship Him to this day.
(Matthew 24:35; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Revelation 22:18-19)
(Matthew 24:35; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Revelation 22:18-19)
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