1 00:00:00,210 --> 00:00:03,690 Speaker 1: Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, proof 2 00:00:04,090 --> 00:00:09,570 Speaker 1: of things not seen. Hebrews 11.1 Heavenly Father, we are 3 00:00:09,690 --> 00:00:13,430 Speaker 1: filled with awe and gratitude. Lord, in a world that 4 00:00:13,490 --> 00:00:17,440 Speaker 1: often demands tangible proof, grant us the courage to walk 5 00:00:17,520 --> 00:00:21,319 Speaker 1: by faith, not by sight. Help us to trust in 6 00:00:21,340 --> 00:00:25,900 Speaker 1: your promises and your presence, even when the path ahead 7 00:00:26,020 --> 00:00:30,910 Speaker 1: is unclear. May our faith be the firm foundation upon 8 00:00:30,970 --> 00:00:35,690 Speaker 1: which we build our lives, a steadfast confidence in your 9 00:00:35,870 --> 00:00:39,830 Speaker 1: loving plan for us. Strengthen our belief in the unseen 10 00:00:40,690 --> 00:00:44,040 Speaker 1: and let our lives be a testament to the enduring 11 00:00:44,159 --> 00:00:52,120 Speaker 1: power of faith. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Thank 12 00:00:52,140 --> 00:00:55,160 Speaker 1: you for praying with me today. You're listening to The 13 00:00:55,230 --> 00:00:59,110 Speaker 1: Jesus Podcast. where we bring the gospel to life like 14 00:00:59,150 --> 00:01:02,670 Speaker 1: you've never heard it. Stay with us to delve into 15 00:01:02,690 --> 00:01:07,929 Speaker 1: the captivating journey of Christ's story. If this podcast has 16 00:01:07,990 --> 00:01:10,780 Speaker 1: brought value to your faith, we'd love it if you 17 00:01:10,810 --> 00:01:13,940 Speaker 1: left a review and shared it with a friend. We 18 00:01:13,980 --> 00:01:16,740 Speaker 1: want the story of Jesus to be known throughout the world, 19 00:01:17,360 --> 00:01:24,760 Speaker 1: because when Jesus' story is told, lives are transformed. Peace 20 00:01:24,860 --> 00:01:29,459 Speaker 1: be with you. He said again, his voice radiating divine love. 21 00:01:30,100 --> 00:01:33,280 Speaker 1: As the Father has sent me, even so I am 22 00:01:33,360 --> 00:01:38,540 Speaker 1: sending you. He had all of the disciples stand. Then, 23 00:01:38,740 --> 00:01:41,320 Speaker 1: in an act that echoed the days of creation with 24 00:01:41,420 --> 00:01:45,160 Speaker 1: Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, Jesus exhaled 25 00:01:45,620 --> 00:01:50,700 Speaker 1: a large breath and said, Receive the Holy Spirit. At 26 00:01:50,770 --> 00:01:55,610 Speaker 1: that moment, the disciples were like Adam, when God first 27 00:01:55,770 --> 00:02:00,140 Speaker 1: formed him from the dust of the earth. He breathed 28 00:02:00,440 --> 00:02:05,540 Speaker 1: life into them, filling them with new purpose for the 29 00:02:05,580 --> 00:02:10,760 Speaker 1: days ahead. The disciples' hearts and minds were open to 30 00:02:10,780 --> 00:02:15,330 Speaker 1: the divine truth, and their understanding of the scriptures was enlightened. 31 00:02:16,710 --> 00:02:22,090 Speaker 1: They realized that Jesus was the cornerstone of God's grand narrative. 32 00:02:23,410 --> 00:02:28,950 Speaker 1: Present from the beginning, working tirelessly for humanity's redemption. 33 00:02:29,350 --> 00:02:32,410 Speaker 2: If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them. 34 00:02:33,230 --> 00:02:37,470 Speaker 1: If you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld. Jesus 35 00:02:37,510 --> 00:02:41,750 Speaker 1: said this, and his eyes darted over to Peter. Then, 36 00:02:42,130 --> 00:02:50,190 Speaker 1: without warning or pretense, he vanished. As Jesus disappeared, Peter's 37 00:02:50,310 --> 00:02:55,710 Speaker 1: anguish surged. He had missed another chance for redemption, his 38 00:02:55,750 --> 00:03:01,020 Speaker 1: opportunity to repent. The disciples were left in a whirlwind 39 00:03:01,280 --> 00:03:05,639 Speaker 1: of emotion, awed by the miracle they had witnessed, yet 40 00:03:05,840 --> 00:03:08,160 Speaker 1: brimming with questions unanswered. 41 00:03:11,150 --> 00:03:14,130 Speaker 2: Jesus said that blessed are those who haven't seen yet 42 00:03:14,330 --> 00:03:18,049 Speaker 2: still believe. Have you ever wrestled with the need for evidence? 43 00:03:18,570 --> 00:03:22,070 Speaker 2: Has doubt robbed you of experiencing the joy of Jesus? 44 00:03:22,570 --> 00:03:26,720 Speaker 2: You're not alone. One of Jesus' closest disciples struggled with doubt, 45 00:03:27,180 --> 00:03:29,560 Speaker 2: and as it turns out, his doubt was less about 46 00:03:29,600 --> 00:03:33,639 Speaker 2: a lack of faith and more about insecurity. This is 47 00:03:33,680 --> 00:03:37,040 Speaker 2: the Jesus Podcast. The month of April has been dedicated 48 00:03:37,080 --> 00:03:39,720 Speaker 2: to the story of the resurrection and the slow process 49 00:03:39,880 --> 00:03:44,550 Speaker 2: of belief. Today's story is inspired by John 20, verses 24-29. 50 00:03:44,730 --> 00:03:48,410 Speaker 2: In our last episode, Jesus visited the apostles and gave 51 00:03:48,450 --> 00:03:52,010 Speaker 2: them his spirit. The apostles, once reeling in shame, were 52 00:03:52,070 --> 00:03:56,070 Speaker 2: renewed and empowered. but there was one notable absence, Thomas. 53 00:03:56,690 --> 00:03:59,710 Speaker 2: Thomas is often called the doubter, but I think that's 54 00:03:59,730 --> 00:04:03,390 Speaker 2: a harsh title. Thomas's doubt isn't unique. We all struggle 55 00:04:03,430 --> 00:04:06,490 Speaker 2: with our faith at times. This story will showcase Thomas's 56 00:04:06,590 --> 00:04:10,140 Speaker 2: gritty and emotional path towards faith. Let's immerse ourselves in 57 00:04:10,160 --> 00:04:13,700 Speaker 2: the cinematic retelling of John 20. Afterward, let's unpack the 58 00:04:13,760 --> 00:04:15,760 Speaker 2: themes of doubt, faith, and belief together. 59 00:04:16,279 --> 00:04:21,479 Speaker 1: Let's go. The disciples stood right where Jesus had vanished. 60 00:04:22,560 --> 00:04:26,920 Speaker 1: They were silent for a long, glorious moment, minds racing 61 00:04:26,980 --> 00:04:32,000 Speaker 1: with questions. A few moments later, the door opened. The 62 00:04:32,040 --> 00:04:35,880 Speaker 1: disciples thought it might be Jesus again, but it was Thomas. 63 00:04:36,700 --> 00:04:39,000 Speaker 1: He was back from the marketplace with a basket of 64 00:04:39,060 --> 00:04:40,080 Speaker 1: dates and carrots. 65 00:04:40,540 --> 00:04:43,340 Speaker 3: The Passover always makes the merchants harder to haggle with. 66 00:04:44,320 --> 00:04:46,720 Speaker 3: Travelers bring up the prices. I got what I could 67 00:04:46,800 --> 00:04:48,039 Speaker 3: with what little we had. 68 00:04:48,500 --> 00:04:50,940 Speaker 1: Thomas placed the basket on the table and sat down. 69 00:04:51,920 --> 00:04:55,900 Speaker 1: He rubbed his temples, groaned, and leaned back. He was 70 00:04:55,930 --> 00:04:58,089 Speaker 1: so tired that he didn't even bother to look at 71 00:04:58,130 --> 00:05:03,210 Speaker 1: his companions. When nobody greeted him, he looked up. Everyone's 72 00:05:03,390 --> 00:05:07,710 Speaker 1: eyes were filled with tears, faces beaming with hope. 73 00:05:08,089 --> 00:05:08,530 Speaker 3: What is it? 74 00:05:08,890 --> 00:05:14,410 Speaker 1: Thomas asked suspiciously. Thomas was an overthinker, often unable to 75 00:05:14,470 --> 00:05:18,870 Speaker 1: accept things at face value. He was usually suspicious of 76 00:05:18,930 --> 00:05:22,500 Speaker 1: good things, often waiting for the other shoe to drop. 77 00:05:23,020 --> 00:05:24,760 Speaker 1: He's returned, John shouted. 78 00:05:25,140 --> 00:05:27,280 Speaker 2: Jesus has risen from the dead. He was here. 79 00:05:27,839 --> 00:05:30,880 Speaker 1: The disciples all took turns telling Thomas what had happened. 80 00:05:31,880 --> 00:05:37,409 Speaker 1: They were frantic, excited, and confused all at once. Thomas 81 00:05:37,510 --> 00:05:41,170 Speaker 1: leaned over the table and thought for a moment. He 82 00:05:41,230 --> 00:05:46,170 Speaker 1: pursed his lips and stroked his beard. Finally, he sighed 83 00:05:46,270 --> 00:05:47,330 Speaker 1: and shook his head. 84 00:05:47,750 --> 00:05:50,979 Speaker 3: I wish it were true, my friends, but... We are 85 00:05:51,060 --> 00:05:54,060 Speaker 3: all exhausted. Clearly you were seeing things. 86 00:05:54,620 --> 00:05:57,500 Speaker 1: John sat down next to Thomas and placed a hand 87 00:05:57,580 --> 00:05:58,120 Speaker 1: on his shoulder. 88 00:05:58,660 --> 00:06:00,740 Speaker 2: How could we all have the same hallucinations? 89 00:06:01,490 --> 00:06:02,790 Speaker 3: Thomas believed our words. 90 00:06:03,500 --> 00:06:04,150 Speaker 2: He is risen. 91 00:06:04,570 --> 00:06:07,510 Speaker 1: Thomas gave a compassionate and condescending smile. 92 00:06:09,670 --> 00:06:14,710 Speaker 3: John, I believe that you believe what you saw was real. 93 00:06:16,010 --> 00:06:19,570 Speaker 3: But I can't believe Jesus is risen from the dead. 94 00:06:20,720 --> 00:06:22,800 Speaker 3: We all saw what happened to him. 95 00:06:23,220 --> 00:06:26,940 Speaker 1: There was a somber pause as Thomas held back emotion. 96 00:06:27,460 --> 00:06:30,960 Speaker 3: There's no coming back from something like that. Unless I 97 00:06:31,020 --> 00:06:33,339 Speaker 3: see the scars in his hands, I can't believe it 98 00:06:33,360 --> 00:06:33,760 Speaker 3: was him. 99 00:06:34,740 --> 00:06:39,060 Speaker 1: Thomas, it's true, Simon added. I could barely believe my. 100 00:06:39,120 --> 00:06:43,729 Speaker 3: Eyes, but he was right here with us. He blessed 101 00:06:43,830 --> 00:06:48,029 Speaker 3: us and told us to receive the Holy Spirit. 102 00:06:48,770 --> 00:06:52,540 Speaker 1: Enough, Thomas yelled. He stood up from the table and 103 00:06:52,600 --> 00:06:53,360 Speaker 1: grabbed his coat. 104 00:06:53,800 --> 00:06:55,940 Speaker 3: If you are all so certain that Jesus is risen, 105 00:06:55,990 --> 00:06:59,390 Speaker 3: then tell me this. Why hasn't he appeared before the temple? 106 00:06:59,950 --> 00:07:03,950 Speaker 3: Why hasn't he proven the Pharisees wrong? Why hasn't he 107 00:07:04,010 --> 00:07:07,990 Speaker 3: gotten revenge on the Romans? And why didn't he come 108 00:07:08,010 --> 00:07:08,830 Speaker 3: when I was here? 109 00:07:09,250 --> 00:07:12,930 Speaker 1: With that last question, Thomas left and slammed the door 110 00:07:12,990 --> 00:07:18,110 Speaker 1: behind him. Bereaved and ashamed, he walked down the dirt 111 00:07:18,190 --> 00:07:21,410 Speaker 1: path to the Sea of Galilee. He sat in the sand, 112 00:07:21,790 --> 00:07:26,190 Speaker 1: shaking from anger and grief. Thomas' doubt was a symptom 113 00:07:26,450 --> 00:07:30,470 Speaker 1: of the deep hurt within. Trust didn't come easy to Thomas. 114 00:07:31,490 --> 00:07:35,070 Speaker 1: He had lived his entire life as a skeptic, rarely 115 00:07:35,130 --> 00:07:38,560 Speaker 1: giving his allegiance to anyone out of fear of disappointment. 116 00:07:39,880 --> 00:07:43,520 Speaker 1: But he chose to follow Jesus. He put his trust 117 00:07:43,720 --> 00:07:50,120 Speaker 1: in Jesus. When he died, it was confirmation that Thomas... 118 00:07:50,320 --> 00:07:54,150 Speaker 1: couldn't trust anyone. His faith had led him down a 119 00:07:54,250 --> 00:07:59,190 Speaker 1: path of grief. So, to save himself from more pain, 120 00:08:00,390 --> 00:08:06,110 Speaker 1: he chose doubt. The midnight breeze chilled Thomas' cheeks. No 121 00:08:06,150 --> 00:08:10,070 Speaker 1: clouds were in the sky. Just a condescent tapestry of 122 00:08:10,150 --> 00:08:15,500 Speaker 1: stars painted the firmament. Thomas wept without anyone around to 123 00:08:15,560 --> 00:08:21,890 Speaker 1: hear him. Eight days passed since Jesus appeared to his disciples, 124 00:08:23,050 --> 00:08:26,870 Speaker 1: long enough for Thomas' heart to grow more calloused. Yet 125 00:08:26,890 --> 00:08:30,590 Speaker 1: the other ten were sure of what they saw. The 126 00:08:30,650 --> 00:08:35,600 Speaker 1: Holy Spirit dwelling within them reassured them even in the unseen. 127 00:08:36,679 --> 00:08:41,580 Speaker 1: Their encounter with Jesus tethered them to faith. Thomas' countenance 128 00:08:41,820 --> 00:08:46,400 Speaker 1: was tense. His doubt had turned to bitterness, creating a 129 00:08:46,460 --> 00:08:50,219 Speaker 1: distance between he and the others. They were working in 130 00:08:50,240 --> 00:08:54,300 Speaker 1: the courtyard of the house, preparing for a meal. Thomas 131 00:08:54,679 --> 00:08:57,020 Speaker 1: reached up to the shelf to grab a pot of salt. 132 00:08:58,300 --> 00:09:02,069 Speaker 1: But he stumbled and fell onto the floor. The pot 133 00:09:02,120 --> 00:09:08,090 Speaker 1: shattered near his feet, spilling salt everywhere. Thomas yelled in frustration, 134 00:09:08,590 --> 00:09:12,490 Speaker 1: making the entire room go silent. He was pent up 135 00:09:12,550 --> 00:09:18,070 Speaker 1: with anger and becoming unhinged. Then, like the sound of 136 00:09:18,130 --> 00:09:23,530 Speaker 1: a babbling brook beside a garden. Thomas heard a familiar voice. 137 00:09:23,700 --> 00:09:29,579 Speaker 1: Peace be with you, Thomas. Thomas froze. He knew that voice. 138 00:09:30,679 --> 00:09:33,340 Speaker 1: It was the voice that had called him long ago. 139 00:09:34,830 --> 00:09:39,610 Speaker 1: He turned around and saw Jesus standing there above him. Lord, 140 00:09:39,970 --> 00:09:41,590 Speaker 1: Thomas asked with a shaking voice. 141 00:09:42,070 --> 00:09:42,890 Speaker 3: It can't be. 142 00:09:43,429 --> 00:09:47,699 Speaker 1: Jesus knelt down. and smiled at Thomas. The warmth of 143 00:09:47,740 --> 00:09:51,760 Speaker 1: his gaze melted his cold heart. Jesus reached out his 144 00:09:51,800 --> 00:09:56,610 Speaker 1: hands for Thomas to see. His hands were scarred where 145 00:09:56,630 --> 00:10:00,450 Speaker 1: the nails had been driven in by the Romans. Thomas 146 00:10:00,550 --> 00:10:05,530 Speaker 1: reached out and touched them. He ran his thumbs over 147 00:10:05,570 --> 00:10:12,120 Speaker 1: the scars, slowly realizing the truth. Jesus gestured to his feet. 148 00:10:13,340 --> 00:10:16,620 Speaker 1: Red scars were on them as well. They were pierced 149 00:10:16,700 --> 00:10:19,880 Speaker 1: for you, Jesus said with a gentle and firm voice. 150 00:10:21,030 --> 00:10:24,910 Speaker 1: Thomas saw the scars, but they weren't what convinced him. 151 00:10:26,080 --> 00:10:31,939 Speaker 1: It was Jesus' familiar gaze. Behind his kind eyes held 152 00:10:32,000 --> 00:10:35,459 Speaker 1: the secrets of eternal life. His eyes began to water, 153 00:10:36,500 --> 00:10:39,400 Speaker 1: and his heart welled up with uncontrollable joy. 154 00:10:39,940 --> 00:10:40,840 Speaker 3: My Lord! 155 00:10:41,280 --> 00:10:41,959 Speaker 1: Thomas wept. 156 00:10:42,120 --> 00:10:45,260 Speaker 3: My God! 157 00:10:45,620 --> 00:10:50,010 Speaker 1: He cried out loudly. Thomas threw his arms around Jesus. 158 00:10:50,520 --> 00:10:55,080 Speaker 1: like a lost child returning to his father's arms. Jesus 159 00:10:55,160 --> 00:10:58,760 Speaker 1: held him, allowing his comfort to wash over him. 160 00:10:59,080 --> 00:11:02,110 Speaker 2: You are blessed, my dear Thomas, for you have seen me. 161 00:11:02,950 --> 00:11:05,910 Speaker 1: You have seen my scars and heard my voice and believed, 162 00:11:06,290 --> 00:11:09,510 Speaker 1: Jesus said. But there are those who will not get 163 00:11:09,550 --> 00:11:10,070 Speaker 1: to see me. 164 00:11:10,970 --> 00:11:13,770 Speaker 2: They will not touch my scars or see my face, 165 00:11:14,770 --> 00:11:15,740 Speaker 2: yet they will believe. 166 00:11:16,900 --> 00:11:21,660 Speaker 1: More blessed are those who do not see After this, 167 00:11:22,280 --> 00:11:27,990 Speaker 1: Jesus vanished again. Thomas wiped his eyes and was renewed 168 00:11:28,210 --> 00:11:33,330 Speaker 1: with purpose. He lifted his gaze to heaven and received 169 00:11:33,410 --> 00:11:39,030 Speaker 1: God's Spirit. There was no turning back. All doubt that 170 00:11:39,170 --> 00:11:45,840 Speaker 1: clouded Thomas' mind had vanished like a vapor. Jesus was alive, 171 00:11:47,000 --> 00:11:50,460 Speaker 1: and Thomas would never be the same again. 172 00:11:52,890 --> 00:11:56,490 Speaker 2: Should our faith require evidence? Now, that's a tricky question. 173 00:11:56,929 --> 00:11:59,770 Speaker 2: Hebrews 11.1 tells us that faith is the substance of 174 00:11:59,790 --> 00:12:03,340 Speaker 2: things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Faith 175 00:12:03,400 --> 00:12:07,480 Speaker 2: doesn't require evidence. Faith is our evidence. Does that make 176 00:12:07,500 --> 00:12:10,920 Speaker 2: you uncomfortable? It should a little bit. Faith isn't supposed 177 00:12:10,960 --> 00:12:14,490 Speaker 2: to be grounded in material things necessarily. Faith is an 178 00:12:14,550 --> 00:12:18,790 Speaker 2: embodied belief that what we have heard from God is true. Therefore, 179 00:12:18,870 --> 00:12:22,179 Speaker 2: we act upon that truth. The evidence often comes later, 180 00:12:22,470 --> 00:12:24,650 Speaker 2: once we start living out our faith and our lives 181 00:12:24,710 --> 00:12:27,710 Speaker 2: begin to change. I find it interesting that the Gospel 182 00:12:27,750 --> 00:12:31,370 Speaker 2: of John often emphasizes belief based on witnessing the miraculous, 183 00:12:31,750 --> 00:12:34,150 Speaker 2: but at the very end we are encouraged to believe 184 00:12:34,330 --> 00:12:37,500 Speaker 2: even though we haven't seen Jesus ourselves. All throughout the 185 00:12:37,520 --> 00:12:40,380 Speaker 2: Gospel of John, people are discovering who Jesus is through 186 00:12:40,420 --> 00:12:43,679 Speaker 2: his miracles and acts of compassion. But Peter has some 187 00:12:43,720 --> 00:12:47,660 Speaker 2: profound insight into what cultivates faith, true and abiding faith. 188 00:12:48,140 --> 00:12:50,350 Speaker 2: He said this in 2 Peter 1, For we did 189 00:12:50,390 --> 00:12:53,330 Speaker 2: not follow cleverly devised myths, and we have made known 190 00:12:53,350 --> 00:12:54,910 Speaker 2: to you the power of the coming of our Lord 191 00:12:54,929 --> 00:12:58,560 Speaker 2: Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses to his majesty. For 192 00:12:58,600 --> 00:13:00,840 Speaker 2: when we received honor and glory from God the Father, 193 00:13:00,860 --> 00:13:03,460 Speaker 2: and the voice was born to him by the majestic glory, 194 00:13:03,800 --> 00:13:06,179 Speaker 2: this is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased, 195 00:13:06,559 --> 00:13:09,920 Speaker 2: we ourselves heard this very voice born from heaven, for 196 00:13:10,000 --> 00:13:12,720 Speaker 2: we were with him on the holy mountain. And we 197 00:13:12,760 --> 00:13:15,790 Speaker 2: have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you 198 00:13:15,809 --> 00:13:17,910 Speaker 2: will do well to pay attention to as a lamp 199 00:13:18,290 --> 00:13:21,260 Speaker 2: shining in a dark place. until the day dawns and 200 00:13:21,280 --> 00:13:24,200 Speaker 2: the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first 201 00:13:24,240 --> 00:13:26,929 Speaker 2: of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's 202 00:13:26,970 --> 00:13:30,369 Speaker 2: own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the 203 00:13:30,410 --> 00:13:33,110 Speaker 2: will of man, but men spoke from God as they 204 00:13:33,130 --> 00:13:36,390 Speaker 2: were carried along by the Holy Spirit. Peter got to 205 00:13:36,450 --> 00:13:40,929 Speaker 2: behold miraculous things. He even saw the heavens opened up wide, 206 00:13:41,000 --> 00:13:43,460 Speaker 2: and he heard a voice booming, saying, This is my 207 00:13:43,520 --> 00:13:46,670 Speaker 2: beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. But Peter 208 00:13:46,730 --> 00:13:49,510 Speaker 2: said that the word of God is more substantial than 209 00:13:49,550 --> 00:13:54,250 Speaker 2: witnessing miracles. The fulfilled prophecies, proclaimed words, and story arcs 210 00:13:54,290 --> 00:13:58,150 Speaker 2: of redemption serve our hearts even more than seeing a 211 00:13:58,190 --> 00:14:01,849 Speaker 2: few miracles. This emphasis is not merely about physical seeing, 212 00:14:01,870 --> 00:14:06,470 Speaker 2: but understanding and accepting the revelation of God in Christ. Thomas' 213 00:14:06,570 --> 00:14:09,270 Speaker 2: doubt is not unique. We shouldn't be too harsh with him. 214 00:14:09,809 --> 00:14:14,050 Speaker 2: His doubt was more than intellectual skepticism. Doubt in God 215 00:14:14,290 --> 00:14:17,069 Speaker 2: rarely boils down to a simple lack of evidence. A 216 00:14:17,110 --> 00:14:20,250 Speaker 2: mentor of mine was once in a room with a skeptic. 217 00:14:20,570 --> 00:14:22,730 Speaker 2: This man said that if he had saw a miracle, 218 00:14:22,830 --> 00:14:26,430 Speaker 2: then he would believe in Jesus. So this pastor challenged him. 219 00:14:26,710 --> 00:14:28,910 Speaker 2: He said, if I cut off my hand right now 220 00:14:28,970 --> 00:14:31,270 Speaker 2: and you saw it grow right before your eyes, would 221 00:14:31,320 --> 00:14:34,240 Speaker 2: you then confess Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? 222 00:14:34,580 --> 00:14:37,120 Speaker 2: Would you sell everything you had and would you dedicate 223 00:14:37,140 --> 00:14:39,980 Speaker 2: your life to the mission fields? Would you admit your 224 00:14:40,060 --> 00:14:42,720 Speaker 2: sins and your shortcomings and start to live a life 225 00:14:42,780 --> 00:14:46,570 Speaker 2: of purity, righteousness, and striving after God? The man paused. 226 00:14:46,920 --> 00:14:49,870 Speaker 2: He considered the question, considered if that type of miracle, 227 00:14:49,970 --> 00:14:53,130 Speaker 2: a hand regrowing right before his eyes, would be sufficient 228 00:14:53,150 --> 00:14:56,510 Speaker 2: to change his heart. The man shrugged, pursed his lips, 229 00:14:56,590 --> 00:15:01,150 Speaker 2: and said, Well, maybe, but maybe not. Doubt in God 230 00:15:01,330 --> 00:15:04,960 Speaker 2: rarely boils down to a simple lack of evidence. Usually, 231 00:15:05,000 --> 00:15:07,540 Speaker 2: there is more at work underneath the surface when people 232 00:15:07,580 --> 00:15:10,830 Speaker 2: doubt God. There's shame from past sins. There's trials and 233 00:15:10,850 --> 00:15:13,510 Speaker 2: hurt that they haven't worked through. Maybe there's church hurt, 234 00:15:13,610 --> 00:15:16,210 Speaker 2: and they've been betrayed by trusted members of God's people. 235 00:15:16,790 --> 00:15:20,830 Speaker 2: Doubt is rarely skin deep, and the miraculous is rarely 236 00:15:20,970 --> 00:15:24,550 Speaker 2: enough to convince our calloused hearts. Remember that the Pharisees 237 00:15:24,610 --> 00:15:27,840 Speaker 2: and the priests also witnessed miracles. Remember the people of 238 00:15:27,920 --> 00:15:32,100 Speaker 2: Israel had witnessed God do amazing things by sending plagues 239 00:15:32,160 --> 00:15:34,850 Speaker 2: to free them from Egypt. They had walked through parted seas. 240 00:15:34,900 --> 00:15:37,990 Speaker 2: They had seen manna fall from heaven and water come 241 00:15:38,050 --> 00:15:42,590 Speaker 2: from rocks. But even still, they erected a statue in 242 00:15:42,650 --> 00:15:46,750 Speaker 2: place of God. They worshipped the golden calf. So all 243 00:15:46,790 --> 00:15:49,580 Speaker 2: these miracles were not enough for the people of Israel 244 00:15:49,840 --> 00:15:55,540 Speaker 2: to change course. Miracles aren't simply enough. The physical evidence 245 00:15:55,740 --> 00:15:59,080 Speaker 2: of God's presence is not enough. There has to be 246 00:15:59,100 --> 00:16:01,400 Speaker 2: a transformation of the heart, and there has to be 247 00:16:01,480 --> 00:16:05,020 Speaker 2: something that the Word of God does to change our lives. Thomas' 248 00:16:05,080 --> 00:16:09,230 Speaker 2: doubt is a deeply human response. It's crucial to acknowledge 249 00:16:09,310 --> 00:16:11,630 Speaker 2: doubt as a part of the faith journey, not as 250 00:16:11,650 --> 00:16:14,450 Speaker 2: the antithesis of it. Even John the Baptist struggled with 251 00:16:14,530 --> 00:16:18,410 Speaker 2: his faith. Like Thomas, many experience disappointment or loss that 252 00:16:18,450 --> 00:16:21,670 Speaker 2: can lead to their skepticism. Today's episode invites us to 253 00:16:21,690 --> 00:16:23,850 Speaker 2: bring our doubts to Jesus and not to hide them. 254 00:16:24,390 --> 00:16:27,530 Speaker 2: When we harbor doubt and refuse to process things, it 255 00:16:27,550 --> 00:16:30,910 Speaker 2: can lead to bitterness. Thomas' heart grew calloused when he 256 00:16:31,210 --> 00:16:34,870 Speaker 2: contrasted his lack of faith with the disciples. Don't compare 257 00:16:34,930 --> 00:16:37,150 Speaker 2: your faith to others. Bring the real you to the 258 00:16:37,190 --> 00:16:40,350 Speaker 2: real Jesus. Wrestle with your doubt, ask questions, and be 259 00:16:40,450 --> 00:16:43,650 Speaker 2: honest with God and yourself. This will lead to healing 260 00:16:43,830 --> 00:16:48,210 Speaker 2: and a stronger faith eventually. Thomas' doubt was multifaceted. He 261 00:16:48,250 --> 00:16:51,350 Speaker 2: had to wrestle with his unmet expectations. He, like many 262 00:16:51,410 --> 00:16:54,480 Speaker 2: Jews of the time, had probably assumed the Messiah was 263 00:16:54,520 --> 00:16:58,140 Speaker 2: supposed to overthrow Rome. But Jesus didn't meet his expectations. 264 00:16:58,820 --> 00:17:01,740 Speaker 2: You see, when we project our own expectations onto God, 265 00:17:01,840 --> 00:17:04,629 Speaker 2: and he doesn't meet those expectations, we set ourselves up 266 00:17:04,670 --> 00:17:07,770 Speaker 2: for failure. Anchoring ourselves in God's word is crucial so 267 00:17:07,790 --> 00:17:10,570 Speaker 2: we don't unfairly assume something about God that he has 268 00:17:10,609 --> 00:17:14,650 Speaker 2: not declared about himself. For example, many people believe that 269 00:17:14,790 --> 00:17:18,000 Speaker 2: if you follow Jesus, you will become wealthy and never 270 00:17:18,040 --> 00:17:21,199 Speaker 2: get sick. I, Pastor Zach, right now am dealing with 271 00:17:21,380 --> 00:17:24,450 Speaker 2: a cold. I'm a follower of Jesus. I'm faithful to him. 272 00:17:24,710 --> 00:17:27,209 Speaker 2: Why am I sick right now? You see, many preachers 273 00:17:27,260 --> 00:17:31,120 Speaker 2: have dedicated their entire careers to convincing you that God 274 00:17:31,200 --> 00:17:34,359 Speaker 2: will always make you happy, wealthy, and healthy. But what 275 00:17:34,400 --> 00:17:37,419 Speaker 2: happens when you lose your job? What happens when family 276 00:17:37,460 --> 00:17:39,919 Speaker 2: members mock you for your faith? What happens when you 277 00:17:39,960 --> 00:17:43,359 Speaker 2: get a bad diagnosis? If your faith is anchored in 278 00:17:43,480 --> 00:17:47,419 Speaker 2: false promises and expectations, you're going to open yourself up 279 00:17:47,560 --> 00:17:51,149 Speaker 2: to doubt. But if you read God's word, You'll know 280 00:17:51,210 --> 00:17:53,390 Speaker 2: that hardship is a part of your faith journey. You'll 281 00:17:53,430 --> 00:17:56,369 Speaker 2: know that God doesn't heal everybody. But if you're ignorant 282 00:17:56,390 --> 00:17:59,650 Speaker 2: to his word, your faith will crumble under unmet expectations. 283 00:18:00,350 --> 00:18:02,689 Speaker 2: Another nugget of wisdom found in this episode is that 284 00:18:02,859 --> 00:18:05,560 Speaker 2: faith is often a journey. This is something that we 285 00:18:05,619 --> 00:18:09,520 Speaker 2: explored with Peter and will continue to explore. Thomas doesn't 286 00:18:09,540 --> 00:18:12,060 Speaker 2: believe Jesus right away. He needs to go through his 287 00:18:12,100 --> 00:18:15,900 Speaker 2: own process of doubt and then eventually finding faith. Let 288 00:18:15,920 --> 00:18:18,590 Speaker 2: this encourage anyone with friends or family who have not 289 00:18:18,630 --> 00:18:22,030 Speaker 2: yet believed. Some people take more time than others. Moments 290 00:18:22,090 --> 00:18:25,280 Speaker 2: of doubt don't define our entire lives. How we respond 291 00:18:25,300 --> 00:18:28,700 Speaker 2: to them, though, does. Thomas' response to Jesus can be 292 00:18:28,780 --> 00:18:32,560 Speaker 2: an encouragement to persevere in our faith, ask questions, but 293 00:18:32,859 --> 00:18:36,000 Speaker 2: eventually find hope in the presence of God. Wherever you 294 00:18:36,100 --> 00:18:38,669 Speaker 2: are in your journey today, I pray God's love and 295 00:18:38,710 --> 00:18:41,470 Speaker 2: grace over you. May he reveal himself to you through 296 00:18:41,490 --> 00:18:44,850 Speaker 2: his word and the loving community of Christ's church. Thomas' 297 00:18:44,869 --> 00:18:47,970 Speaker 2: story is a powerful testament to the journey from skepticism 298 00:18:48,010 --> 00:18:50,909 Speaker 2: to faith. It's a reminder that doubt, when confronted with 299 00:18:50,950 --> 00:18:53,330 Speaker 2: the truth of Christ's presence, can lead to a deeper, 300 00:18:53,369 --> 00:18:56,520 Speaker 2: more authentic faith, an abiding faith that's stronger than it 301 00:18:56,560 --> 00:19:00,359 Speaker 2: was before. As modern-day believers, we are called to trust 302 00:19:00,420 --> 00:19:02,679 Speaker 2: in the risen Christ, even though we haven't seen him, 303 00:19:03,020 --> 00:19:05,119 Speaker 2: and to find strength and assurance in the reality of 304 00:19:05,160 --> 00:19:08,919 Speaker 2: his resurrection, even if we haven't beheld him ourselves. I 305 00:19:08,960 --> 00:19:11,629 Speaker 2: pray today's story has blessed you, and will continue to 306 00:19:11,670 --> 00:19:14,570 Speaker 2: bless you as you meditate on it. If this podcast 307 00:19:14,590 --> 00:19:16,810 Speaker 2: has blessed you, be sure to follow it and subscribe. 308 00:19:17,130 --> 00:19:19,090 Speaker 2: Doing so makes sure you never have to miss an episode, 309 00:19:19,130 --> 00:19:21,869 Speaker 2: but it also helps us get discovered by more people. 310 00:19:22,250 --> 00:19:25,520 Speaker 2: We want the story of Jesus to be experienced, known, 311 00:19:25,660 --> 00:19:28,920 Speaker 2: and loved throughout the nations. Thanks for making that possible.