There is much we do not know, but we know that we need to follow Jesus...

“Follow Me.”

(John 21:18-25, Preaching: Pastor Stephen Magee, October 31, 2010)

18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.” 20 Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who had been reclining at table close to him and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” 21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” 22 Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” 23 So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?”24 This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true. 25 Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.

Truly, truly, I say to you ... (18-19)

We have come to the end of John's gospel, and Jesus will soon be ascending on high. The road ahead of the disciples will be more difficult than they can presently imagine. But as we read this passage in our century, where are those disciples now? Another apostle, Paul, as he reached the end of his life, expressed his understanding of what he had been through and where he was going this way: “I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.” Paul, John, and Peter have been in heaven for a long time now. At the end of John's gospel their race was really only beginning. You are still running the race that God has for you, and it is hard to tell how much more of that race any of us have. But we do have a glimpse of the end of the race for us in the Resurrection Man, Jesus Christ, and in the Resurrection Kingdom of heaven.

Peter would spend the rest of His life loving and following Jesus by feeding the sheep of the Lord in what would become the New Testament church, the gathering of Jews and Gentiles who have found life in Jesus Christ. At the end of the road on earth, he would be dressed by another and carried where he did not want to go. This was the Lord's way of revealing to Peter that he would glorify God by being a prisoner who would be executed by the enemies of the church. In 2 Peter we have a sense that the great apostle knew that his time was almost over. By the time John's gospel was written, that end must have already come. Peter had followed Jesus by living, and then he had followed Jesus by dying. He was not the first, and he would not be the last. This living and dying for Jesus was what it meant for Peter to follow the Lord.

Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved... (20-23)

But what about John? Peter wondered about his younger friend. What about the disciple whom Jesus loved, one of the two “sons of thunder?” What about this young man who was next to Jesus at the Last Supper, the man who found out who would betray Jesus? What about the man who saw the folded grave clothes in the “empty” tomb and believed in the resurrection, the man who saw what happened with all those fish in the nets and knew that it was the Lord?

Peter was not entitled to get an answer. There are things that God has revealed, and other facts about the future, known to Him, that He has not chosen to reveal to anyone. Jesus said to Peter, “If it is my will that he (John) remain until I come, what is that to you?” This led to an inaccurate report circulating during the early years of the church, as if Christ had answered Peters question with a definitive prophecy. That was not the case. Jesus had told Peter that the length of John's life was not to be Peter's concern.

But there is something that was for Peter, a repeated command: “You follow Me!” John's life would be different than Peter's in many particulars. Peter did not write the book of Revelation, but John did as an elderly man in exile on the Island of Patmos for his preaching of the Gospel. It is everyone's understanding that Peter was in heaven at that point.

Both men fed the Lord's sheep. Both men faced danger during their lives because of their dedication to the message of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Both men followed Jesus in their lives. When each man died he was in the Lord's hands. How long any of us lives is not for us to know. The words of Jesus echo through the centuries to our ears today. He says, “You follow Me!” Each of our lives may be different. We face our own great moments of life change, but we are all to be followers of the Lord in the day that is today. God's heart needs to be beating in our bodies. Jesus' faith and obedience should be expressed in our words and actions. Christ in us.

This is the disciple who is bearing witness... (24)

One more thing about John, the beloved disciple: He wrote this unchanging and stable gospel that we have now finished reading together as an act of worship. He wrote it by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and we have been hearing it by the power of that same Spirit. This gospel is true because it is the Word of God. The church came to acknowledge that fact during the early centuries after the resurrection of Jesus. We came to see that the two letters of Peter were true, because they were from God, and that the three letters of John were true, together with Revelation and this gospel. We came to know by the Spirit of God that they were a part of the completed foundation for our life of faith that we now have together in the Scriptures.

This letter is not junk. Do not throw it away. It is a true testimony from a real apostle moved in His writing by the Holy Spirit. The prologue that assures us of the divinity and humanity of Jesus is true. The testimony of the seven miraculous signs John includes here is true. The controversies that led to the cross are accurately recorded. The high priestly prayer of Christ is what Jesus actually said on that occasion. We are so blessed to have this Word, and we should receive it as a testimony that is true. It tells us that the divine Word, God with God, became flesh and has brought to us grace and truth from the Father. John has accurately presented to us Jesus Christ so that we might believe in Him, and believing have life in His Name in our place and time.

Now there are also many other things... (25)

This great gospel is a very selective account. There is so much more that Jesus did that the world could not contain the books that would be written if everything was written. How can you say enough about the Man who is truly a Man but is also God from before the foundation of the earth? How can all His plans and actions be recorded for us, since He, Jesus, is the central figure in the eternal purpose of God, uniting all things in Him, all things in heaven, and all things on earth? No one has ever obeyed the commandments of God like He has. How could all of that lovely trust and obedience be recorded? The person and works of Jesus Christ are overwhelming.

If we try just to summarize it all, we will at least have to make mention of His preexistence, His willing descent from heaven in the incarnation, His quiet and honest character, His miracles, His suffering for us that ended with His death, and His victory in the resurrection. This book would be a good summary. Take it and read it. Teach it to others. Learn it, believe it, and follow Jesus in life and in death. And may the grace of God fill your hearts, as the same Jesus who lived so long ago now dwells in you as your King, Him in you, the downpayment of the life to come.

1. What will it mean for Peter to follow Jesus?

2. How might John's following of Jesus be somewhat different?

3. How can we summarize John's gospel?

4. Why does any summary of the works of Jesus of necessity leave so much out?

Thinking straight about Jesus

“The Rock that is higher than I”

(John 21:15-17, Preaching: Pastor Stephen Magee, October 17, 2010)

15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.”

When they had finished breakfast ... (15)

When Peter first confessed that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God, Jesus noted Peter's name, “Rock,” given to him by the Lord, and then the Lord said, “On this rock I will build My church.” Then He want on to tell the disciples about His coming suffering and death, but Peter would not hear it. Jesus said to him, “Get behind me Satan.” Later when Jesus began to wash His disciples' feet as an illustration of the humility of the cross, Peter would not at first agree to let Jesus wash his feet. When Jesus said that all the disciples would fall, Peter contradicted Him and said that even if everyone else fell away that he would not. Of course, he did, and he denied Jesus three times. Peter would not accept the necessity of the Lord's death, and he showed no sign that he was expecting Jesus to rise from the dead, despite the clear teaching of Jesus Himself on these important matters. Even after the ascension of Christ, Peter had to be corrected by Paul because he did not want to be caught eating with Gentiles when certain Jewish Christians were looking on. But when Peter knew that Jesus was on shore, he was the one who put on his outer cloak, dove in the water, and swam to the Lord.

This proud, wrong-headed, and not entirely stable follower of Jesus Christ was one of the Lord's chosen servants to bring the message of Jesus to those who would be His disciples. In this passage He is questioned three times about His love for the Lord, and He is instructed three times to feed the Lord's flock. This special commissioning of this man is an important part of the Lord's plan for the progress of His kingdom. I ask you: Would you have chosen this man Peter as your poster boy for New Testament ministry? It says so much about Jesus that He chooses Peter.

He said to him a second time ... (16)

If in these verses Jesus is somehow reinstating Simon son of Jonah to his position as a leading apostle of the faith through this three-fold command, He is doing so not because of Peter's great work to date, but in spite of the evidence against Him. Our great Lord is very capable of making use of weak vessels like us to be His servants in any time and place. He is not waiting around for the most gifted, intelligent, and spiritual people to come forward to offer their special something that makes the work of the kingdom what it needs to be. All of what we need for the progress of the Lord's work is supplied from heaven. But God has chosen to distribute the glory bread of His Word through weak and needy disciples He has determined to use for this task.

Let's make sure that we understand the specific instruction that is given here three times. In order to see what it is that deserves our utmost attention, let's clear away those things that are less important. The variation in the words translated “love” is not the thing we have to see. The different words that are used for the commanded activity, whether “tend” or “feed,” won't be decisive for us in getting the spiritual benefit of this passage. The variation in Christ referring to “sheep” and “lambs” is also not that significant for our hearts. All of this variety may just bring more fullness to the message than if the exact same words were used three times in a row. Also, there is no particular faith or life benefit that comes to us from comparing the number of times that Peter denied the Lord with the number of times that Jesus asks this question. And no one really knows what Jesus was pointing to as “these” in verse 15. (To love anything more than Jesus is a sign that we are not thinking straight, and could lead to lots of problems.) Put all those thoughts away for a moment, lest we miss what is clear and most significant for us to see.

He said to him the third time ... (17)

What should we see? First, Jesus is talking here about the teaching ministry of the church through those who will speak His Word to His people. As is often the case, Jesus is using the imagery of “sheep” to refer to His followers. As He said earlier in this gospel, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.” He also says, “I lay down my life for the sheep.” The feeding that Peter and the apostles will do for the sheep will not be the care of physical needs. Families will be encouraged to provide for their own needs by their own hands. Only in extreme cases will the church supply food and only for the most needy people in our midst. That work will be given to the deacons and to those members of the church assisting them in their duties (Acts 6). The apostles will need to focus on prayer and the ministry of the Word. In particular, there will be those elders who must labor diligently in teaching and preaching.

Second, Jesus connects the accomplishment of this task of feeding the Lord's beloved flock with the love that the under-shepherds have for their Lord, the great Shepherd of the sheep. Jesus is the greatest and He loves His followers. His greatness and love should be obvious. Do you doubt that Jesus is the best or that He loves you? Hear the message of the cross again. See His greatness and His love for you there. Then see His provision for your life in His Word. He loves you. Even now He is using one of His servants to speak to you. He will not allow Peter to imagine that He loves Jesus if Peter is not willing to bring the Word of God to people like you.

Third, the Lord who knows everything, the Lord who loves you enough to make sure that your souls will be fed, knows that the Word that you need is not a word about an impressive scholar, speaker, communicator, comedian, or other entertainer, or about any number of interesting things going on all around us. The Word that He has for us is from Him and about Him. He is a Rock that is much higher than everything else. He is the Word that satisfies. Isaiah writes, “Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.” The Lord has presented Jesus to us as the best Food, as the living Word, and as the Rock above all.

God can use a man like Peter, despite all his faults, if Peter will love the Lord by feeding the sheep the truth of Christ, obeying the Lord's commands, and setting a sincere example for the flock. If Peter thinks he is the main event, if he supposes that everyone needs to yield to him, then the sheep will not see Christ; they will only see Peter. That will have a sad impact upon their lives. But if Peter and all those whom Jesus sends to tell His loved ones about Him will be willing to feed their own souls on the Word of the Lord, and if they will then lead others to the Rock who is over all, the sheep who hear the voice of the Lord will flourish.

Peter was Peter. He said about Paul that there were some things that Paul wrote that were hard to understand. He once thought that even if everyone else fell away, that He would not fall away. He learned that he was wrong the hard way and He wept bitter tears. But He was the man for the job, and He loved Jesus. As a fellow elder among many that the Lord has chosen to feed His flock, He expressed His love for Jesus by doing what He was told to do. He showed them the Rock. See Mark, 1 Peter, and 2 Peter. He fed the sheep with the greatness and glory of Jesus.

1. Describe the interactions between Peter and Jesus since the Last Supper.

2. How does that help us to understand this episode?

3. Who are the Lord's sheep/lambs, and how would Peter feed/tend them?

4. What does this task have to do with Peter's love for Jesus?

What's the matter? No fish?

“It is the Lord!”

(John 21:1-14, Preaching: Pastor Stephen Magee, October 10, 2010)

21:1 After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4 Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” 6 He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. 7 That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. 8 The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off. 9 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. 14 This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

After this Jesus revealed Himself again ... (1-3)

This unusual resurrection appearance of Jesus begins with a fishing failure. The Lord has promised to His people a coming day when the bounty of a very fruitful earth will be ours. Spending all night catching food and coming up empty-handed does not immediately seem to be a part of the plan. Add to this disappointment the fact that these disciples have not only seen the Lord, but they have also been commissioned by Him to be His spirit-representatives to catch, not fish, but men. There is not a lot of that going on yet either. On both occasions listed in John's gospel where Jesus had appeared to the disciples as a group they were behind locked doors. Now here they are fishing for fish all night, and they have not even caught anything.

They are back in Galilee now by the Lord's command. One begins to wonder whether they understood what they were supposed to be doing there? They have to eat, but remember that some of these men were commercial fisherman when they began the entire Messianic adventure, and now they seem to have come full circle, except for one thing. No fish. As a tent-making job, this would be a lousy one. You cannot spend much time catching men during the day if you stay up all night fishing, especially if you do not catch any fish when you fish. Here are Peter, James, Nathanael, John, Thomas, and two others not named. Peter is leading them, in fishing for fish. He says, “I am going fishing,” and the other six say, “So are we.” And they caught nothing.

Just as day was breaking ... (4-8)

I am not much of a fisherman, but I don't think it takes much imagination to guess how these men felt as day was breaking after their unsuccessful adventure. Especially when someone from the shore decides to ask them how the fishing is going. That had to hurt. “Children, do you have any fish?” “No.” They don't seem all that talkative. Most people would leave it at that. “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” Amazingly, they did it. They must feel the power of His instruction in some way. They do what he tells them to do.

What a result! There has to be a message here. They are not able to bring in the fish because of the tremendous number of fish in the net. The first point of the message must be about the man who is on the shore. John says to Peter, “It is the Lord!” Jesus is risen and He is sovereign over the fish of the sea. He had done this early in His ministry. See Luke 5. Now He rules the fish as the Resurrection Man. The second point is that He is able to provide the bounty of heaven and earth for His disciples that He calls to proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God.

Peter is overwhelmed by this. It was his idea to go fishing all night. It was a bad idea. Now he comes to himself realizing that the resurrected Lord of glory is there, and he is as exposed before God as Adam was after the Fall of mankind. He puts on his outer garment to be respectable, and then in the enthusiasm of the moment, dives into the water fully clothed, and swims to the shore.

The other disciples are at least calm enough to come in with the boat, which was dragging the net full of fish. What do we have so far? 1. It was Jesus. 2. He can provide for you, church. 3. Go to Him and see what happens next. This experience, like so much of life, is way beyond us. Whether you swim or you sail, if you are out on the sea, and Jesus is on the far shore, go where Jesus is and await further encouragement and instruction.

When they got out on land... (9-14)

When they made it to land, what did they find but the Resurrection King with fish already cooking on a charcoal fire and hot bread. What do you make of that? Jesus says, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” This all seems so oddly normal. Do what He says. That's what Peter does, and now this great fisherman/apostle hauls that intact net ashore full of large fish.

This is not what anyone would think of as a God glorifying moment. What an unusual experience! And there is more to come in the verses that follow, but this is enough to consider for now. It is more than overwhelming. To have Jesus rise from the dead is amazing enough. To have Him taking care of His disciples' simple needs for food and friendship as if He were their servant is shocking. It was like the Last Supper, when Jesus began to wash their feet, but this time Peter does not talk back. It is a happy occasion. It is a slice of life from heaven on earth.

You can look for heaven on earth. Look for those happy moments and remember that Psalm 65 is true. Whenever you catch a glimpse of a gracious God caring for you from on high, whenever your wagon is full of something good, whenever you look out upon the meadows and valleys and see flocks and grain, and you think that you hear the sound of the trees shouting praise to God and singing for joy, don't put your fingers in your ears. Take it all in with your eyes and your ears, and then, if you have the heart to do so, open your mouth and sing.

We are so blessed here, despite the problems that we face. But every once in awhile, even in a time of hardship, your mind can be filled with the contemplation of heaven. At that moment, it is more than permissible to be happy in the goodness of the Lord. If you make that a habit, then you may find it to be such a good thing for your body and your soul that you will keep on doing it even when the fig tree does not blossom. See Habakkuk 3:17-19.

When you have even a crumb falling from God's table showing up on your plate, look for the man who was asking them about the fishing from the far shore. He is still in the serving business. Before He went to the cross, He told His disciples that He had come, not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many. He went fishing for you, and mercifully, He has caught you in His good net. He is doing so much for you all the time, even disciplining you in love, always in love. He is keeping you, saving you, and yes, serving you. If He has bread for you, take and eat. If He has a cup for you, take it and drink. And smile with the joy of heaven if He gives you the heart to do so. And whether you are mourning with those who mourn, or rejoicing with those who rejoice, He can use you and all His church as fishers of men, though we may have labored all night, and feel like we have not caught a thing.

1. What is the setting for this unusual resurrection appearance of Jesus?

2. How did the disciples conclude that the Man on the shore was Jesus?

3. What is Jesus doing in these verses?

4. How can we live lives of resurrection spirituality in the midst of normal living?

Thank you, Lord, for the gift of hearing and believing

“Life in His Name”

(John 20:24-31, Preaching: Pastor Stephen Magee, October 3, 2010)

24 Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” 26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” 30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Now Thomas... (24-25)

Thomas was not with the other remaining disciples when the Lord appeared in their midst on the evening of the first day of the week. On that Day of Resurrection, John tells us that Jesus had reveled Himself early in the morning to Mary Magdalene at the empty tomb. Then that evening He appeared to the disciples as a group when they were behind locked doors for fear of their countrymen, the Jews. Thomas was not there on either occasion.

The other disciples told Thomas the news. They said, “We have seen the Lord.” He heard their words with his ears, but he had not yet seen what they had seen. Jesus had shown those others His hands and His side, and they were glad when they saw the Lord. But Thomas had not seen His hands and His side. He had not seen Jesus at all. So he took exception to their confidence in the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth from the dead.

The apostle John, the writer of this gospel, had stooped down to look into the empty tomb earlier on the day of resurrection. When he saw the cloths that had been on Jesus' dead body folded up where they were, there was something about that physical testimony that touched him. He believed in the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth from the dead. Peter and Mary had seen the same evidence, but it did not seem to have the same impact on them. The turning point for Mary came when she heard her name spoken by a man she thought might be able to help her to find the dead body of the Lord. He said, “Mary,” and she said, “My teacher!” He talked to her about His coming ascension to heaven, and directed her to give that message to the rest of the disciples. She did tell them that she had seen the Lord, and she told them what He had said. But it was not until He personally appeared in their midst and showed them His hands and His side, that they were glad, and believed in the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth from the dead.

Thomas heard their reports, but nothing was happening decisively in his heart when he listen to them. He insisted on approaching this event from the standpoint of visible evidence, proof that could be seen and touched. “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” Never. That's a strong word. Do you believe that Jesus of Nazareth rose from the dead? What was it that convinced you of the resurrection? Certainly you did not see what Thomas said he had to see. You did not see the cloths folded the way that John did. You did not hear Jesus say your name outside the empty tomb like Mary did. You were not there with the disciples behind locked doors when Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” He did not show you His hands and His side. You have something else. You have the account of all these things in the Gospel of John, and you have your soul, and the operations of God the Holy Spirit upon that soul, and somehow God has granted faith to you, despite your weaknesses of belief and life.

Eight days later... (26-29)

Well Thomas wanted to see, and he had used that word, “never.” “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” Eight days later, Thomas saw. They were inside, and the doors were locked again, and Jesus came and stood among them again, and He said, “Peace be with you,” yet again. But this time Thomas was there. The Lord made it clear in His words to Thomas that He had heard Thomas' objection. He accommodated his weakness. He invited him, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side.” The man melted after Jesus gave him a command, “Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas said, “My Lord and my God.” Thomas did what the Apostle Paul said we all need to do. He confessed and believed.

Paul wrote in Romans 10:9, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Thomas confessed before the other officers of the church that Jesus is Lord. “My Lord and my God.” He believed what John believed when John saw that cloths, what Mary believed when she heard her name, what the other disciples believed when Jesus showed them His hands and His side, and what you believed when you heard the Word of God with the Spirit-given gift of faith: God raised Jesus of Nazareth from the dead! You stopped your disbelieving. You believed. And you acknowledged Jesus to be your Lord. Do not dismiss your confession of faith and your belief that Jesus is Lord as nothing just because it happened to you at a young age. Do not dismiss it because you have come to the conclusion that something was wrong about the circumstances of your confessing and believing. Do not find any reason for minimizing the work of the Spirit of God in your life. The Spirit is the Lord too, just as Jesus is Lord (2 Corinthians 3:17 and Revelation 19:10). Thank Him for any motions of belief that He has been pleased to give you at any time in your life under any circumstances. Hear the Word of resurrection every day, believe in your heart and confess with your lips at the communion table that Jesus is Lord. You are blessed. Thomas said he would never believe unless He saw and touched the wounds of Jesus. By that standard you and I would never have believed. But we have been blessed. We have not seen, and yet we have believed.

Now Jesus did many other signs... (30-31)

This combination of hearing the Word by the secret operation of the Holy Spirit and believing by the gift that He gives of faith, would be the only way after the first century that Christians would normally believe and confess. Coercion could not do it. Relics could not do it. I allow that there are some that have been changed immediately by visions and miracles like Saul of Tarsus, but we cannot insist on that or even expect it. But millions upon millions have done something most unlikely that we view as normal only because it has happened so many times. Faith came to them by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.

Jesus, the Word changed their lives in the hearing of the Word of the resurrection proclaimed to them. Jesus did many signs in the presence of the disciples. Seven of them, culminating in His resurrection, are written in the Gospel of John so that you may hear and believe. It began when He changed the water into wine at a wedding of two people who did not have the money to entertain all the friends that they had invited to their celebration. He did five other great things including making the lame walk, the blind see, and raising Lazarus after four days in the tomb. Finally after completing everything necessary to take care of our guilt by all His living and dying as the Lamb of God, He did the seventh sign: He rose from the dead Himself as the Man from heaven, the Resurrection Man, the Guarantor of our resurrection life beyond the grave.

These things were written for believers who never saw Jesus, and never saw Thomas, and who never visited Jerusalem. They heard the words of this gospel, believed, and found life in His Name. He is the Christ. He is the Son of God. He is Lord. He is life. Hear and believe.

1. What was the initial opinion of Thomas concerning the resurrection?

2. How did his perspective change?

3. How would the readers of this gospel have related to this passage?

4. Do believers struggle with unbelief? What does it mean to have life?