A Powerful Witness

Acts 2: 14a, 22-32
John 20: 19-31

Many of you have probably heard the words “Doubting Thomas” used to describe someone who is pessimistic. It comes from this passage we read in John 20. People tend to think a doubting Thomas is a bad thing and therefore the original Doubting Thomas was wrong to not believe without seeing Jesus, but let’s look at this passage and decide for ourselves.

Jesus appears to all the disciples, but Thomas. They were in a locked room, in fear of their lives because they thought the Jewish Council would next come after them. A man appears in front of them. Is it a ghost? Are they dreaming? Are they all so tired that they are now seeing things? And then, the man speaks and says “Peace be with you” and immediately he shows them his hands where the nails were pounded through his palms and his side where the spear sliced deep into his stomach.

The disciples were probably in shock, and also overjoyed when they realized it was Jesus standing there before them. There is no doubt that they would have believed everything they had just experienced was real - for the length of time that it took Jesus to be with them, and then the shock would wear off and they too, probably doubted what they had seen and experienced. Have you ever been in a car accident and the reality of it is so harsh and scary that the more you remember the accident, the less clear the details become? The same thing could have also happened to the disciples.

As sure as they were that they had all experienced the same thing and that it was real – it had to have seemed surreal as well. Then Thomas arrives and they all begin to talk at once. Picture it – ten men yelling and gesturing at the same time to this other man. He’s not getting the full picture, just bits and pieces of words and as he looks around at all their faces he sees a mixture of feelings. Some are excited, some are scared, some are confused and still others have no expression at all because they have not fully processed it all.

If you were Thomas, what would you say? What would you do?

Well, Thomas probably told them to quiet down and then called out for one person to explain everything. He probably asked a few questions, made them repeat it all a couple times. And then his response was, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

John does not record the reaction the disciples have to what Thomas says, but I’m sure a few of them were probably hurt that he did not believe. But there were probably more that nodded their heads and thought, “Boy, I’d sure like to see him again too and touch his hands and side just to make sure I didn’t dream all of this. I miss Jesus so much, I feel like we wished him into existence!”

Thomas wanted to believe that Jesus was Risen, but he was afraid to believe and therefore he was willing to put himself out there to get the answers he NEEDED to have. This was not just any old story that he needed proof about, this was about a man rising from the dead – this was life changing and completely overwhelming! Thomas wasn’t afraid to put his neck out to help himself in his faith. He was willing to be the bad guy and fight for what he felt was a logical request. “I need to touch his hands and side, to see him too so that I can believe.”

And when Jesus appeared and showed him his hand and side, he told him to stop doubting and believe. Not only did Thomas believe, but he said the most amazing sentence, “My Lord and My God!” This is the first time that Jesus is called God in John’s gospel and it is THOMAS that points out Jesus is no ordinary human being, but God in the flesh. Thomas’ doubting words lead to a revelation of the greatest proportions.

If Thomas had not been willing to say what no one else wanted or was willing to hear, this revelation would not be written down for us to read about today. Thomas helped to shape our beliefs by fighting for what he wanted to see for himself.

Jesus does not require much of us as His people. Jesus asks us to be faithful and loving which we all know and understand. Most of us even try to be that way. However, Jesus also asks us to speak about Him and be willing to fight for our beliefs. Fight to be heard and not cower behind fear of persecution. We are told that whoever is least shall be first in heaven so do not worry if someone spits on you or mocks you. Jesus was spit upon and mocked and sits at the right hand of God. God respects people willing to share Jesus’ story no matter what the consequences are or if someone doesn’t want to hear it. Our job as Christians is to make the story relevant. To make Jesus’ story one that everyone WANTS to hear.

Sometimes that means we don’t get to have a good day. Sometimes it means going to the homeless shelter even though work was crappy and we have a raging headache. Sometimes it means making dinner for the kids even when you just want to relax because you promised your spouse it was your turn this week. Sometimes it is deliberately bringing up church and Jesus in front of someone you know is an atheist. It is hearing them derail your faith and coming back with a response. Sometimes it means sacrifice and hard work and is no fun at all. Being a Christian doesn’t mean going to church on Sundays and enjoying potluck dinners is the only thing required from us. It requires a bit more of a commitment than that.

For example, Peter stood with the other disciples in Acts and told all of their followers that they had killed the Messiah. Peter wasn’t afraid to state the obvious truth – they had all screwed up. However, he didn’t allow this mistake to hinder what needed to happen next. Peter went on to talk about the glory of a Risen Lord and how all who believe in Jesus will have eternal life. Peter stood up and spoke the truth about the mess they had all made (disciples included) and then he witnessed to God’s glory. He shared the Gospel with the people just as Jesus commanded. How often do you share the Gospel with those around you?

Do you pray when you are out in public? A quick bowing of your head before a meal in a restaurant or a casual, “Thanks be to God” when something goes well at work? Do you talk about what you learned in Sunday School class this week or about the potluck coming up to your friends or coworkers? Do you invite people to join you at church or ask to go to someone else’s church? These things require all of us to speak up about our faith. It requires a little more effort than just coming here on Sunday. We need to be aware of God more than just at the end of the week. We need to talk about God more than just on Sunday mornings.

Jesus loves us. Most of us are probably comfortable with thinking we’ll get to heaven. However, I was just thinking yesterday how awful it would be to be a pastor and not get to heaven. What if the Lord looked at me at the heavenly gates and said, “I don’t know you”? What if the Lord said because you were afraid to speak of me to others because you could not recognize me outside of church, I will not recognize you now?”

What would you say to defend yourself? I have no idea what I would say to defend myself. Because I’m guilty of not speaking up at times about my faith. I let things slide or I take the easy way out by being silent when someone says something I know is not true in the Bible. I could use that moment to bring Jesus into the conversation and instead I quietly let it pass. What if Jesus decides to quietly ignore me or any one of us when we do the same thing when we approach those heavenly gates?

Two men faced God on the Day of Judgment. One looked beat and beat-up. His arm in a sling, and his forehead bandaged, his clothes were tattered and torn. He looked awful. Moreover, his life had been so hard, he felt a failure. Ashamed, he would not lift up his face to look upon the Lord.

The second man looked as if he just stepped off the tennis court after winning his morning set. Dressed smartly, he was tanned and fit. His teeth gleamed. He appeared to have been nipped-and-tucked in the right places. Relaxed, he smiled confidently at the Lord.

The Lord looked at the two men, then turned to the one who was tanned and tucked and said, "Where are your wounds? Was there nothing to fight for down there?" Amen.