What Does Jesus Show Us About Trusting God?

 

The Upper Room, 2014

This week we return with the disciples to the Upper Room, to experience stories about believing.

John 20. 19-31

Later on that day, the disciples had gathered together, but, fearful of the Jews, had locked all the doors in the house. Jesus entered, stood among them, and said, “Peace to you.” Then he showed them his hands and side.

The disciples, seeing the Master with their own eyes, were awestruck. Jesus repeated his greeting:  “Peace to you. Just as the Father sent me, I send you.”

Then he took a deep breath and breathed into them. “Receive the Holy Spirit,” he said. “If you forgive someone’s sins, they’re gone for good. If you don’t forgive sins, what are you going to do with them?”

But Thomas, sometimes called the Twin, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples told him, “We saw the Master.”

But he said, “Unless I see the nail holes in his hands, put my finger in the nail holes, and stick my hand in his side, I won’t believe it.”

Eight days later, his disciples were again in the room. This time Thomas was with them. Jesus came through the locked doors, stood among them, and said, “Peace to you.”

Then he focused his attention on Thomas. “Take your finger and examine my hands. Take your hand and stick it in my side. Don’t be unbelieving. Believe.”

Thomas said, “My Master! My God!”

Jesus said, “So, you believe because you’ve seen with your own eyes. Even better blessings are in store for those who believe without seeing.”

Jesus provided far more God-revealing signs than are written down in this book. These are written down so you will believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and in the act of believing, have real and eternal life in the way he personally revealed it.

In this world that teaches us to believe the lies that we have to be successful, right, independent, and in control, what does Jesus show us about trusting God instead?

As I read this passage, I notice Jesus focusing his attention on Thomas. I don't see any blame or shame, only love. He patiently guides Thomas to touch and to believe. Perhaps he's saying to us, "it's OK to doubt. I love you anyway. I'll show you how to believe."

Thomas found out first hand about Jesus' love and patience with him.  Jesus helped him to believe by guiding him to the thing that Thomas needed, not anyone else, but Thomas. Jesus knew Thomas so well that he guided Thomas to seeing and touching. 

Jesus knows each of us this well too. For example, when we doubt that he will work things out for us, we can ask him to show us the places in our lives where he has been active, and he will show us.  He is patient with us; he knows that transformation takes time.

Some of you have shared your deep trust in God with me over the years.  I remember these conversations warmly, and things you have said have been very helpful to me.  Thank you.