Thomas – La Vista Church of Christ https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms Sat, 11 Jul 2026 21:55:19 +0000 en hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1 https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/cropped-LaVistaBanner-Copy-1-32x32.png Thomas – La Vista Church of Christ https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms 32 32 157465916 Believing Thomas https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/believing-thomas/ Sat, 11 Jul 2026 21:55:19 +0000 https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/?p=96597

by Kenny Chumbley
via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 21 No. 4, December 1995

Have you ever had an unflattering picture of yourself circulated about—one you don’t think looks like you at all? (While writing this opening sentence, the thought occurs to me, “Is there such a thing as a flattering Floyd Chappelear picture?”) Has a report about your conduct—a true report—ever been circulated about you that focused on something you did during a weak moment? A report that, while true, doesn’t come close to telling the whole story about your character?

None of us likes being known for something that isn’t a fair representation of us. Yet, when it comes to the apostle Thomas, haven’t we done to him what we wouldn’t want done to ourselves? Haven’t we pinned a label—“doubting Thomas”—on him that doesn’t reflect the true man?

If your Bible is near, turn to the twentieth chapter of John. The greatest event ever chronicled is found in this chapter; viz., that Jesus arose! Low in the grave He lay...but up from the grave He arose! With a mighty triumph o'er His foes! In John 20:19-23, Jesus appears to all the apostles, save for Thomas (John 20:24). When the ten tell Thomas what they had seen, he replied, “Unless I see his hands with the mark of the nails, and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I refuse to believe it” (Moffatt). This statement, of course, forms the basis for “Doubting Thomas.”

But you know what? I’m glad Thomas had this reaction. I’m glad he doubted the apostolic testimony. Let me tell you three reasons why.

First, by doubting, Thomas was taking the scientific approach to the issue of Christ’s resurrection. To withhold belief until he could confirm it with his own senses is exactly the approach a scientist would take. A few years ago, two scientists in Utah announced that they had achieved “cold fusion.” Fusion is a nuclear reaction in which atoms fuse. Fusion is what happens in a hydrogen bomb (fission—splitting the atom—is what happens in an atomic bomb). A large amount of heat is required for fusion to occur (an atomic bomb must be detonated to generate enough heat for a hydrogen bomb to ignite). Scientists have long known that if they could ever fuse atoms without the enormous amounts of heat required—i.e., achieve “cold fusion”—it would be a tremendous breakthrough; energy and electricity could be produced dirt cheap. When the Utah scientists announced they had achieved the breakthrough, what was the reaction of the scientific world? “Unless we see his hands with the mark of the nails... we refuse to believe it.” Scientists are supposed to be skeptical, critical, not accepting a pronouncement until they have seen it for themselves. That’s all Thomas was doing. He was reacting scientifically. The charge has often been made that the apostles were unsophisticated, naive, gullible men, willing to believe in Jesus’ resurrection at the drop of a hat. Thomas’s skepticism puts the lie to that view.

Second, how did Christ react to Thomas’ skepticism? Did he rebuke him for unbelief? Did he shame him for doubting? No—Jesus offered Thomas the evidence he was looking for. “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” (John 20:27). In this, Christ set an example for all His disciples to follow: viz., don’t ever be afraid of looking at the evidence for believing. I sometimes get the impression from some “friends” of Jesus that if we dig too deep, if we poke around too long, if we turn over too many stones, we may discover something that proves Christianity isn’t so. And then there are those who think scientific discoveries have made it impossible to believe in the Bible. Both views could not be further off base. Don’t ever be afraid of taking an honest look at the evidence. And don’t believe the lie that science has disproven Christianity. When it comes to investigating the claims of the Bible, I’m not afraid of science being too scientific; I’m only afraid it will try ot pass off philosophy or pseudo-science as a genuine pursuit of the truth.

Third, look at John 20:28. This is the first time in the New Testament where Jesus is so plainly called “God.” He had been called the Christ, the Son of God, and the Son of the Living God… but not before, simply “God.” And it is “Doubting Thomas” who makes what could be the boldest confession of faith in the Gospels. He was skeptical; he saw the evidence, and then he confessed to the only viable conclusion that could be drawn from it. He was a believer, folks, not a doubter.

I find it easier to believe because Thomas found it hard to believe.

]]> 96597 What Thomas Missed https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/what-thomas-missed/ Thu, 30 Oct 2003 00:36:00 +0000 https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/?p=63715

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton

Text: John 20:19-29

 

I.         We aren’t told why, but when the disciples gathered after Jesus’ death, Thomas wasn’t there at a very notable time.

            A.        What was it that Thomas missed by not being there?

II.        What did Thomas miss?

            A.        He missed the joy of seeing the Lord - John 20:20

                        1.         Jesus knew that his death would be a trial for his followers. He tried to prepare them - John 16:20-22

                                    a.         He warned them about the sorrow

                                    b.         But he hinted that it would be followed by joy

                        2.         Such came when they witnessed his resurrection - Matthew 28:5-10

                        3.         But Thomas, initially wasn’t there. He missed out on the initial happy discovery.

            B.        He missed the comfort of being with people who had similar experiences

                        1.         The disciples had spent about three years together following Jesus and learning at his feet.

                        2.         Even after his death, they had many things to discuss because of that close fellowship - Luke 24:13-14

                        3.         Knowledge of the need for Christ’s death could bring comfort - I Thessalonians 5:9-11

                        4.         A time to search the Scriptures as Jesus urged - John 5:39

                                    a.         At the time, none of the disciples thought to look there - John 20:9

                                    b.         But they soon learned - Acts 1:16

                                    c.         An in the promises there they found comfort - Romans 15:4

                        5.         It was an opportunity to pray together - Philippians 4:6-7

                                    a.         And such the disciples did - Acts 1:14

                        6.         But Thomas wasn’t there. What opportunities were available for comfort wasn’t available to him.

            C.        He missed the evidence that would have scattered his doubt

                        1.         For over a week, Thomas remained uncertain - John 20:26

                        2.         You see, being with the disciples and sharing experiences with them was an opportunity to build faith

                                    a.         Learning and remember the teachings of Jesus can increase faith - Luke 17:5

                                    b.         Because faith comes from hearing God’s word - Romans 10:17

                        3.         But Thomas wasn’t there to learn; thus his faith remained a bit weaker.

            D.        He missed Jesus’ charge to the disciples on this occasion - John 20:22-23

                        1.         In symbolism of the receiving of the Spirit later, Jesus breathed on them

                        2.         He granted them authority to give his law

                        3.         I’m sure Thomas heard about it later, but he didn’t get to experience it. A once in a lifetime experience was missed.

            E.        He gained a reputation

                        1.         When we talk of Thomas, how is his name often qualified?

                                    a.         Doubting Thomas – quite a legacy

                                    b.         Even though the doubt was removed just eight days later, the memory never faded.

                        2.         The times of gatherings is also a time of encouragement to keep us out of sin

                                    a.         A time to put down roots - Luke 8:13

                                    b.         A time to watch and pray together - Mark 14:38

III.       The point, though, is that we miss similar things when we don’t attend worship

            A.        Worship is time spent with our Lord

                        1.         Jesus is with us here this day - Matthew 18:20

                        2.         It is a time of joy - Psalm 122:1

                        3.         Because in God’s presence is joy - Psalm 16:11

                        4.         This is what worship is about - Psalm 100:1-5

            B.        Our gatherings are also times of comfort

                        1.         The world is filled with troubles. There are trials on every hand. Crime, cursing, hatred, ... it can wear a person down.

                        2.         But here is a place where the world is left behind for a moment.

                        3.         Here we find comfort in our common goal - I Thessalonians 4:16-18

            C.        It is a time for building faith

                        1.         We have opportunity to examine evidence - Hebrews 11:1

                        2.         We read of the evidence given - John 20:30-31

                        3.         The lessons and the readings we do at each service are opportunities to learn and increase our faith - II Peter 3:18

            D.        We see the charge Jesus gave the disciples being applied

                        1.         We pray together for each other, as Jesus taught - Matthew 6:9-15

                        2.         At times we get to see another soul added to the fold. But you have to be here to experience the joy. Hearing about it later is just not the same.

            E.        We gain a reputation for being faithful

                        1.         People who miss services are not known as faithful Christians. Most likely they aren’t involved in much of the work of service to the Lord.

                        2.         That is because we know that we ought to be here - James 4:17

                        3.         Being here, we can bestow proper honor to each - Romans 12:10

IV.      Brethren, have you thought about what you miss by not being here?

            A.        It is so easy to take something that is always there for granted.

            B.        It is so easy to find excuses to do other things.

            C.        But think about what you are missing.

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