Bible Forgiveness Suffering

Hopelessly Devoted: John Chapter Twenty Verses Twenty Four Through Twenty Eight

As we carry on in the Easter season, we are confronted with the presence of […]

Mockingbird / 4.16.12

As we carry on in the Easter season, we are confronted with the presence of a risen Lord in fractured, unbelieving, betraying lives. This morning’s devotion comes from Matthew McCormick.

Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 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.” 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.” 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.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”

“Doubting Thomas” is such an inaccurate title. Let’s simply call a thing what a thing is. Disbelieving, distrusting, betraying Thomas. Thomas witnessed the amazing miracles Christ performed including the raising of Lazarus (John 11:14-44). It is astonishing that, in spite of all the glorious acts and miracles of Christ, Thomas did not altogether apprehend Christ as his Savior and Messiah (John 14:1-14). Thomas has no excuse. He is damnable. He is guilty, worthy of the lake of fire. A sinner who spent all this time with the Son of God, witnessing works and miracles, and still does not believe.

What if you do not believe? It certainly is a heavy thing. Thomas did not believe, and there is no compromise on disbelief. The scary thing is that we can all relate to Thomas’ disbelief. It makes sense that he’s upset. I know that I would be depressed and bitter just like Thomas. I would make outlandish if-then consequential statements, too, “If…, then…I will never believe.”

So being God as Jesus is; being the wonderful, grace-filled lover of Thomas’ soul, Jesus has a word for Thomas. Jesus has a verdict contrary to Thomas’ disbelief. Instead of Thomas carrying the wounds in his hands, Jesus carries them in His hands. And Jesus does not only invite Thomas to see His wounds, the wounds that are holding all of Thomas’ sin, but to place his fingers in them, in the same way that a key fits into a door lock. Jesus broke in, unlocked his doors, and stole Thomas’ sins.

Christ wishes to be known to you as the forgiver of your sins, and even if you deny it, he’s coming to you. He died for your sins and was raised for your justification (Rom. 4:25). He is interested in you as sinner, and He as your forgiver. The one who reveals to you the holes in His hands that atoned for your corrupt nature, all your betrayals, and all your mistakes. Though you may want to take responsibility and have ownership over your own sins, the truth is your “sins” no longer belong to you (Gal. 3:13). Christ takes every one of them away perpetually. And to seal this promise, He leaves a word for you “Blessed are you who has not seen me, and yet trusts, believes, not in your work, but in my work for you, my beloved saved sinner!”