I DON’T BELIEVE IT

John 20:19-29

INTROD.

1.  Bob Smith, a principal in an Oakland Elementary School, was a Christian, brought up in a Christian family.   As he became an adult, married, and had a little daughter, he continued faithfully active in the Christian Church.

a.  One day he received a telephone call at work, saying that his wife and daughter had been killed in an automobile accident after being hit head-on by a drunk driver.

b.  Bob Smith was understandably shaken.  He became angry at God, and never to this day, as far as I know, has he entered a Christian church. 

·         He said that He didn’t believe in God’s Goodness.

·         He didn’t believe in God’s power. 

·         He didn’t believe in God’s love.

·         He didn’t believe it.

2.  A number of years ago I was speaking at a conference, when a petite, elderly lady asked if she could talk to me.

a.  Her name was Elizabeth, as we sat down, she said,  “I’d like to tell you something I’ve only told one other person.  I told this to my husband, and he didn’t believe it.  He thought I was crazy.”

b.  I knew that was an invitation, and I said, “Well, I won’t say you’re crazy.”

c.  She continued,  “A long time ago, my husband had a heart attack and was in the intensive care unit.   They told me he would not live through the night.  I was sitting next to him when I looked toward the door and saw this bright light in the doorway.  I just knew that it was death come to get my husband.  (This was before the “Touched By An Angel” program.)

“I stood up, put my hands out, and said, ‘No, you can’t have him!’  The light came closer to me, and again I said, ‘No, you can’t have him!’  The next thing I remember is the nurses picking me up off the floor.  I guess I had fainted.  But, you know, my husband turned around like that. He was out of intensive care in a day.  He was out of the hospital in 5 days, and he lived another 5 years before he died of an heart attack.  I just know that I kept death from taking my husband at that earlier date.”

d.  I looked at her, and she said, “I just don’t believe it.”

e.  I said,  “Thank you for sharing with me.”

f.  She said,  “Do you believe it?”  I said, “Yes.”

g.  She said,  “I don’t believe it!”

h.  Then I said,  “Did you ever think that the light you saw in the doorway was not the death angel coming to get your husband, but Jesus who had come to heal him?

i.  Her eyes opened wide, and she said, “No, I never thought of that.”

j.  I remember being aware for the first time that when anything happens within our normal experience we assume it is of God, or God can be in that.  But anything that happens outside our normal experience must be evil, and we’re fearful.

k.  Elizabeth said the words, “I don’t believe it” in two very different ways.  First, she said her husband said, “I don’t   believe it.”  This is how my friend Bob used it.  Secondly, Elizabeth said,  “I don’t believe it!”

3.  Many also have doubts about themselves---whether they would be able to live life as a Christian.  They too,  I don’t believe it.

4.  In our Scripture lesson today,  We see a man who came from the first  “I don’t believe it” to “I don’t believe it”.  He doubted God’s truth and goodness, but he ended in founding the Christian Church in India.  What made the difference?

5.  Read John 20:19-29.  This situation took place soon after Easter--the resurrection of Jesus.

I.  FRAMING THE SITUATION

A.  The disciples were a frightened little band of Christians,  afraid of what the Jewish leadership might do to them,  after putting Jesus to death.

1.  But into that gathering Jesus came.  After showing them His hands and His side, they became OVERJOYED.  They were certain.  Jesus Christ was not dead, but alive.  Jesus Christ had been resurrected as He said He would!  God is not evil, but good!

2.  Thomas was a member of the 12 and then 11 disciples.  He had traveled with Jesus, and  identified himself as a disciple--a follower of Jesus.

3.  For some reason he was not present when Jesus appeared to the 10 disciples, in the upper room.  Undoubtedly the 10 told him of that encounter in a number of conversations during the week.  It may have gone something like this:

a. THE 10. “Thomas, you won’t believe it, Jesus is alive!”

b. THOMAS. “You are right.  I know he is alive in your minds and hearts.”  Thomas had sung the hymn, “He Lives”, which says,  “I know He lives.  He lives within my heart.”  He could understand their “New Age” type of understanding, and didn’t buy it.

c. THE 10. “No we have seen Him!”

d. T. “No, you probably saw an angel.  That was an impressive experience to Mary, Elizabeth, and Zechariah.   I need greater certainty than angels.”

e. 10. “No, not an Angel.  We saw Jesus.  He is alive”, the 10 continued.

f. T. I know you are tired and have been grieving his loss.   Your fatigue and great grief have made you victims of HOPE.   So you imagine you have seen Jesus.

g. 10. “Yes, we are tired and have been grieving.  But it is because we have seen Jesus that we are so excited and convinced.

h.   THOMAS.    Let me try one more thing.  I’ve heard that people who are desparate and afraid will see hallucinations or even have ghostly visions.  That explains your claim.

i.  What Thomas is saying is “I know Jesus.  I was with Jesus for 3 years of ministry and the terror-filled days of His last week.

1.  If that man is alive, I’ll believe it;  But I will not risk my faith on any other ground.  I will not accept the comfort or assurance of angels, or spiritual feelings of hope from the disciples.  I will certainly not risk my faith upon the strong wish that each of us has that Jesus Christ’s victory ought to be true.

2.  What Thomas doubts is the witness  his 10 friends have expressed to him.  He further doubts God’s goodness.

3.  Thomas’ doubt is the central theological question of all times.  It centers around, 

WHO IS JESUS CHRIST?

4.  Thomas insists by his statement that it is this question he must find the answer to.   He knew that Jesus of history had lived.  He had lived with him.  Jesus was his friend.  He loved and trusted this man and will still trust if he is alive.

5.  The Christ of faith upon whom the Church is built and in whom the gospel is proclaimed must be for Thomas inseparably united to the very same Jesus of Galilee and the Jesus of Holy Week. 

a.   We today ask the same question.  If Thomas could be certain that Jesus of Nazareth was truly alive he would believe in the Good News his friends, the other 10, have announced to him.

II.  HOW IS DOUBT RESOLVED?  Let me make 4 observations.

A.  First,  Thomas explained clearly what he needed to know for sure.

1.  He put his crises of faith into words and in effect, established a working criteria or means for resolution in the best way he could express it.  v. 25 “Unless I place my finger and hand in Jesus’ nail holes and side...”

2.  That is a very good approach for ourselves and toward those struggling with doubt.  I have asked myself and others who have sought my advice concerning reality in the Christian faith.  WHAT DO YOU NEED TO KNOW?  I have suggested they write it down;  describe it on paper or to another;  so they can identify the real issues.

3.  The best theology grows up out of the best questions. Thomas has asked the really important questions and has found a way to say it that was DEFINITE, DIRECT, AND UNCOMPLICATED.  This is what you and I must do to be certain.

B.   2nd observation is that “Even though Thomas has serious intellectual and emotional doubts, he STAYS WITH PEOPLE WHO HAVE FAITH.  v. 26.  (8 days later he is in the house with the 10.)

1.  Who knows how often the 10 talked with Thomas and tried to convince him during the week?  We tried to conjecture what went on.

2.  For 8 days Thomas has waited with them and he has waited without compromising his integrity.

3.  He has resisted the temptation to agree in order to please his friends.  Nevertheless he has not rejected them or their faith.

4.  Thomas stays in the fellowship of believers with his doubts, as hard as that is to do.  It is not easy because there is an understandable uneasiness that tends to pull doubters away from the company of believers.

a.  When friends pray, and praise, and rejoice, and celebrate at the assurance they feel day after day, Thomas must continually regret a certain ennui and suspend judgment.  That is not easy.  He feels like a complicated and lonely attachment to the once uncomplicated fellowship.. BUT HE STAYS.

5.  I have often strongly urged doubters to stay with the family of faith.  HANG IN THERE.  --honestly, and with the complicated questions in process---but stay.   Thomas does.

C.  Third Observation.  The 10 disciples included Thomas with them.  The one who doesn’t rejoice with them, but doubts.  The one with the gloomy clouds of doubts unresolved.  Will not a bad apple rot the whole barrel?

1.  We have no evidence, from John’s account, of group pressure--aiming at Thomas.  Just simple statement:  “Week later, the 10 were in the room and Thomas was with them”.

a.  This sentence may be one of the most compelling psychological proofs we have of the reality of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the 10’s certitude of that reality.  Why are they not shaken or panicked by the presence of a doubter?  Because they are certain of the truth of their central affirmation.   Because Jesus gave them the Holy Spirit and commissioned them to a priestly ministry for doubters.

b.  Oz Guinness has written a book on doubt, entitled, “IN TWO MINDS”, where he describes a person who has doubts as caught between certainty and unbelief.   Doubt is neither certainty or unbelief, and the community plays an important part in negatively not driving the doubter into unbelief,     and positively urging them to faith and certainty.  That is the priestly ministry the Holy Spirit gives to us.

c.  When a movement is frightened of the nonconformist and doubter, so that it purges such persons out of the fellowship, this is usually the surest psychological sign of the insecurity of the community’s convictions.   When one is insecure they want to get rid of the person who is different.

d.  This doesn’t mean that Thomas was their teacher during this journey of resolution, but that he is welcome to stay in their community as the journey of resolution takes its necessary course.  A comfortable club, a friendly collection of people may not,   but the Christian Church has been empowered and assured to welcome doubters. They did.

e. The Christian Community is important and powerful.

I am reading the book, “Evangelism Outside the Box” by Rick Richardson. He tells of 7 freshmen who knew the large group on campus was dull and cliquish. They determined to attend the large meeting, but to pray each day at 5 pm. Their time was a simple worship, genuine confession, and honest prayer. After a while Peter said he was going to invite his friend Dick to the prayer meeting. Others said “No” this is a prayer meeting. Dick is into New Age, Marxism, drug user, an alcohol drinker, and an atheist. But Peter insisted and Dick came. First the 7 were a little uncomfortable, but soon worship, confession, and prayer became genuine. As they broke up Dick almost tackled Peter, saying, “What was that?”

“I don’t even believe in God. But God was in that room.”

Later Dick invited Jesus into his life.  The Christian community is powerful and important.

D.  Fourth Observation.  A Surprise. JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF AFFIRMS HIS VICTORY TO THOMAS.

1.  The reason a person often never comes to resolution is that they drop out before that can take place. If a person hangs in and is clear what they need,  and the community accepts them, God Himself will affirm and resolve the conflict.

a.  Jesus didn’t belittle Thomas, but answered his prayer.  He could have felt too busy;  that 10 out of 12 was a pretty good percentage in any business.   But, what love!

b.  Thomas doesn’t need to do all he said he did, but meeting Jesus alive draws this man from doubt to certainty and the greatest Christological confessions of faith in the NT,  “MY LORD AND MY GOD”, and he fell down and worshipped Jesus.  He said in affect,  “I DON’T BELIEVE IT”.   Tradition has it  that Thomas went to India with the Good News and was martyred there.

III.  Conclusion.

A.  Thomas’ doubt is our gain.  Because at least one person in the Apostolic band, insisted that the Christ of faith and the Jesus of History were inseparably bound---the same person.  There was not one person who lived historically, and another   Christ perceived in the minds of the early church that we have faith in.  They are the same person.  Answered for all time.

1.  WHO IS JESUS CHRIST? 

a.  Is He the spiritual aspiration of radical hope for life, of a first century church?

b.  Or is our faith placed in Jesus Christ who loved us concretely,    and won the battle over the same grave that will block the light of day for each of us?

B.  It is our gain that Thomas’ questions were resolved because his journey to certitude helps us to risk our own wager upon this concrete Jesus Christ.

1.  Our questions are OK.  Our God will never be blown away

2.  They can be resolved---or grace given to live with them unresolved.

3.  We never need to fear truth.  Our Lord is the author of all truth.

4.  We never need to fear the honest doubter.  There is Good News.

5.  Our God resolves our questions--answers our prayers.  Praise God!   Bob Smith bailed out too soon.  That was his loss and ours.   Thomas didn’t. 

THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST STANDS!

Jesus Christ is Alive today

                        to make God known to us;

                        to forgive our wrongs;

                        to heal our lives;

                        to guide our lives.

                        PRAISE GOD.

                        I DON’T BELIEVE IT!

Let’s Pray.  We thank you Lord, for Thomas and the Christian Community that stayed together through the resolution of real doubt.  Thank you for taking Thomas seriously.  Give us the patience with ourselves as we journey through questions.  Give us the patience with each other to enable others the time to journey without abortion, because of our impatience.  Secure our faith in Jesus Christ so we can be your church today with people at all stages of spiritual, physical, and emotional wholeness.  You are our Lord and our God!  We worship you.