The confession of Thomas is the highlight in the whole gospel of John and it is intended to be a picture of his central theme of faith and belief. In fact, John 20:31 says, “These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”
This really is the bottom line of all bottom lines: was Jesus resurrected or not? His resurrection is the ultimate watershed. If he wasn’t resurrected, then he was a fine man who said and did some nice things. Rest in peace. But if he was resurrected, then he is sovereign Lord and God.
Thomas realizes in that moment who Jesus really is. God is his character. Lord is his relationship to me. Do you hear the personal expression? MY Lord and MY God!
There it is. That is the difference between religion that doesn’t save and the kind of faith that does. Religion nods the head to truth; generally acknowledges it; thinks it’s nice and helpful. But Thomas shows us what real saving faith looks like. When I am convinced by faith that Jesus died for my sins and was resurrected for my salvation, I personalize it. I really believe it. Jesus is not just the Savior, but my Savior. He is not just a Lord, but my Lord. That’s my story.
All of us need to personalize it. Look to an unlikely example of the kind of faith that saves. I urge you to follow this path from skepticism to genuine faith and followership of Jesus.
Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
© 2012 by Steve DeWitt. You are permitted and encouraged to reproduce and distribute this material in any format provided that: (1) you credit the author, (2) any modifications are clearly marked, (3) you do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction, (4) you include Bethel’s website address (www.bethelweb.org) on the copied resource.
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