November 1st
UNBELIEF CONTRADICTS THE CERTAINTY OF GOD’S WITNESS
John 20:25-28 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
Scripture plainly reveals that Jesus allowed the disciples to handle Him after His Resurrection. His powerfully generous Object Lesson convinced those disciples present; however, their witness was not sufficient for Thomas. Thomas’ unbelief may cause many to gasp yet the spiritual lesson he sheds forth is quite common. Unbelief like sin has no degrees. Any minute detail of either brings the weight of the sum with it.
Some may think it a small matter that Thomas wanted further proof and demanded to thrust his hand into Jesus’ Side. It is a most significant matter. Jesus voluntarily brought the other disciples’ attention to His hands and feet. Luke’s Gospel (Luke 24:39) notes that Jesus invited them to handle Himself. His service (hands) and earthly ministry (feet) were not in vain, and He was now the Living Proof. He did not voluntarily invite them to thrust their hands into His side as Thomas demanded. John 19:34 reads, "But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water." Thomas’ demand challenged the certainty of God’s Witness as First John 5:6-13 declares below:
This is He who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one. If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son. He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son. And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.
The proof or witness Thomas demanded, and so many unbelievers today, is God-designed to operate from within. It is a sure Witness of life eternal and must be fully believed instead of one attempting to gain proof by physically (carnally) touching the Truth. He is no longer known after the flesh (2 Corinthians 5:16). Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we [him] no more.