REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Peter Yoon of Kairos Christian Church in San Diego, was first posted on October 12, 2016. Peter is a graduate of University of California, Riverside (BA) and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.).
Devotional Thought for This Morning
“About Mr. Thomas”
John 20:24-29
Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” 26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” 28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Do you tend to be pessimistic and negative in your approach to faith or ministry? Do you label yourself a realist, but in reality you are really attempting to cloak your negativity? Do you find yourself commenting, “He’ll never change,” or “That’s just impossible to do”? If you don’t know how to guard your heart, in a life full of disappointments, you tend to end up where Thomas found himself on Resurrection Sunday.
All of the disciples were in deep sorrow and fear. It was a sad scene. John writes, “The doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews” (v. 19). But the one missing disciple was Thomas. Perhaps it was too painful for Thomas to have even been around these guys, or maybe it was the other way around; it was too painful for them to be around Thomas, as he had known to be negative person in the past (John 11).
Thomas: “See, I told you guys this wasn’t going to end well. Now we’re all just going to die.”
Disciples: “Just get out, Thomas!”
We don’t really know why Thomas wasn’t in the room. That doesn’t seem to be important to the writer. What’s important is what happens to Thomas a week later. For an entire week, Thomas refused to believe the testimony of the other disciples: “We have seen the Lord.” These men who were gripped with fear were now filled with joy. Yet, Thomas refused to listen to their story. A week later, Jesus enters the room once again, and this time, He invites Thomas to touch his wounds. Thomas falls to his knees with worship and is forever changed.
Traditions and ancient testimony tell us that later on, Thomas carried the gospel as far as India. A small hill near the airport in Chennai (Madras), India, is where Thomas is said to have been buried. Now there are churches in South India whose roots are traceable to the beginning of the church age, and tradition says they were founded under the ministry of Thomas.
He was eventually martyred—of all things—for his FAITH. Thomas himself was run through with a spear—a fitting form of martyrdom for one whose faith erupted when he saw the spear mark in his master’s side.
There is a God who changes the hearts of those who are negative, critical, pessimistic, and hopeless. The story of Thomas reminds us that we can bring our worst, but He transforms us to become men and women of faith.
Prayer: Dear God, I struggle with being negative and critical when it comes to You and Your ministry. Please change my heart and fill me with hope that You will truly make all things new in my life, my community, my church. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Bible Reading for Today: 1 Chronicles 19
Lunch Break Study
Read Prov. 4:20-26: My son, pay attention to what I say;turn your ear to my words.21 Do not let them out of your sight,keep them within your heart;22 for they are life to those who find themand health to one’s whole body.23 Above all else, guard your heart,for everything you do flows from it.24 Keep your mouth free of perversity;keep corrupt talk far from your lips.25 Let your eyes look straight ahead;fix your gaze directly before you.26 Give careful thought to the paths for your feetand be steadfast in all your ways.
Questions to Consider
- How many body parts are mentioned by the author of this Proverb?
- Meditate on verse 23. Think about the actions of your body. What do those actions reveal about the condition of your heart?
Notes
- An anatomy of righteousness follows, urging the son to keep the father’s words before his eyes and in his heart so they can direct the action of his mouth, lips, and feet.
- While the instruction seems to mix metaphors by moving from a stored treasure to a flowing spring, both insist that the heart that holds onto teaching is a source of life.
*From Logos commentaries
Evening Reflection
Consider the words, “Stop doubting and believe.” Is there an area in your life where these words can apply? Allow the Lord to minister into that particular area of life.