Changed lives (I)

The main character of this study is the apostle Thomas. (John 20, 24-29)

On the evening of that first Easter Day the disciples were gathered together for mutual support in a locked room for fear of the Jewish authorities. How must they have been feeling?

Suddenly Jesus appears among them and they were delighted, but Thomas was not with them.

Verses 24 and 25

What did Thomas not believe that the other disciples had seen Jesus?

What evidence did he ask for?

Meanwhile Jesus knew what was going on in Thomas’ mind and so a week later…….

Verses 26-29

Jesus appears again to the disciples, deliberately to dispel Thomas’ doubts. Thomas is immediately and utterly convinced that Jesus is not just Teacher, Master, Messiah, Son of God, but GOD himself. Thomas believed on the evidence of his eyes, but Jesus gives a promise that makes the event meaningful for Christians everywhere and down through the ages: the people who have faith in me without seeing me are the ones who are really blessed.

So on what evidence are later generations to believe?

Verses 30 and 31

This book, and the whole of the Bible, was written so that you will put your faith in Jesus as the Messiah and the Son of God. If you have faith in him, you will have true life.

That is the challenge of Thomas to us all.