Flashback Episode — Seeing Vs. Blessing: John 20:24-31

As we come to the last episode in our first chronological year podcasting through events within Jesus’ life, we come to a relatively well-known event that, on the surface, paints one of Jesus’ remaining disciples in a less-than-positive light. While many Christians today might look down on this disciple for what he says or how he responded to learning about Jesus’ resurrection, what ultimately happened paints a powerful picture for all of Jesus’ followers about how trustworthy the gospel record is.

I’ve heard some people living today who wished they could live back in the first century so that they could have seen Jesus firsthand. At some points in my past, I have thought this too, or at the very least, thought it would be neat to take a time machine back to be able to witness firsthand what had happened. I believe that seeing a resurrected Jesus was incredibly important for those in the first century, and at times, at least in my mind, I feel at a disadvantage because I am living over 2,000 years after the events that are recorded.

We don’t have to go far in what the gospels tell us happened following Jesus’ resurrection to discover a disciple who had a similar feeling. We don’t know where He was, but when Jesus first appeared to the remaining disciples as a group, Thomas was not present. When Thomas learned he missed out, he makes a very bold statement.

Let’s read what happens. Our passage for this episode is found in John’s gospel, chapter 20, and we will read it from the Contemporary English Version. Starting in verse 24, John tells us that:

²⁴ Although Thomas the Twin was one of the twelve disciples, he wasn’t with the others when Jesus appeared to them. ²⁵ So they told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

But Thomas said, “First, I must see the nail scars in his hands and touch them with my finger. I must put my hand where the spear went into his side. I won’t believe unless I do this!”

²⁶ A week later the disciples were together again. This time, Thomas was with them. Jesus came in while the doors were still locked and stood in the middle of the group. He greeted his disciples ²⁷ and said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at my hands! Put your hand into my side. Stop doubting and have faith!”

²⁸ Thomas replied, “You are my Lord and my God!”

²⁹ Jesus said, “Thomas, do you have faith because you have seen me? The people who have faith in me without seeing me are the ones who are really blessed!”

In this passage, the detail that probably amazes me the most is Jesus’ response to Thomas when Jesus appeared to the disciples again.

In Thomas’ earlier declaration, he wanted to see and touch Jesus to believe Jesus had really returned to life. However, when we look closely at what John describes, Thomas never touches Jesus. Perhaps we can assume this happened, but it isn’t recorded in scripture. Instead, Jesus responds to Thomas’ doubt by appearing to him, speaking directly to him about what he had said, and Jesus’ message to Thomas prompts him to believe.

Thomas asked to see and touch Jesus, and Jesus responded by showing Himself to Thomas, speaking to him, and inviting him to touch the scars that the crucifixion left. However, while the invitation is present, John does not record that Thomas actually touched Jesus.

While we might think this detail is powerful in itself, what Jesus tells Thomas next is even more significant, especially to us living over 2,000 years later. After Thomas responded that he believed without actually touching Jesus, Jesus responds to Thomas in verse 29, “Thomas, do you have faith because you have seen me? The people who have faith in me without seeing me are the ones who are really blessed!”

While Thomas is the disciple who gets looked down on for being the one who won’t believe unless he has seen, in Thomas’ declaration and decision, we get to see and understand more about Jesus’ character.

Firstly, Jesus answers Thomas’ request by appearing the following week. While it could have happened earlier, I suspect this time gap was present to build anticipation for what might come. Ultimately, Jesus returning to appear to the group of disciples tells me that Jesus does care about our wants and our relationship with Him. Sometimes we might see evidence of Jesus’ presence in the moment, but more often, we will have to exercise faith without direct sight.

However, the greatest promise Jesus gives in this passage is not to Thomas, who ultimately got to see Jesus. Jesus’ greatest blessing in this passage is for those who believe without having seen. Thomas could have been one of the first people to be gathered under this banner of “really blessed individuals”, but he stands as an example of many of us who are skeptical first, and only believe after we have been given proof.

Instead, from Jesus’ promise in this passage, all of Jesus’ followers living since this first generation of disciples are blessed because they believe without having seen Him. This includes us living today, as well as everyone who believed from the disciples’ teaching forward through time.

Jesus’ promise in this passage prompts me to wonder what blessing God has for those who have believed without having seen Jesus. Looking at the first century spread of the Christian movement, the disciples seemed to have the full force of the Holy Spirit behind them. However, according to Jesus’ words, those who saw a resurrected Jesus are at a blessing disadvantage because they did see, while those who believed without seeing are truly blessed.

Part of me wonders if we take this blessing for granted, or if we miss out on this blessing entirely because our faith is weak. In my own journey, too often, I will first try to solve my own problems, and only if I cannot come to a good solution do I bring God in with prayer. It’s like I trust myself, but if I fail then I lean on God.

However, Jesus has called us to place God first and trust Him first. This means the first place we are challenged to look for a solution from is God. I doubt this needs to be stopping and kneeling down at every challenge we get, but perhaps it is more acknowledging God during the difficulties of our day and silently keeping the lines of communication open in our thoughts. As challenges come, we can then think or whisper a quick prayer to God and then move forward with His guidance.

Perhaps this way of thinking is connected with some of the blessing Jesus promised in this passage for those who believe who have not seen. This second- or third-hand faith gives God the opportunity to show up in amazing ways to help those who don’t have the previous experiences to be able to see God operating in a much broader way.

Or, perhaps the blessing we receive for believing without having seen Jesus directly is a special gift that God is saving for us when we reach heaven. Honestly, I don’t know what it is, but I do know that every blessing from God is given for our benefit. Every blessing is sent to help us learn, grow, and/or help others on life’s path.

As we have come to the end of this first year of podcasting chronologically through events from Jesus’ life as presented in the gospels, here are the challenges I want to leave you with:

As I always challenge you to do, intentionally seek God first in your life and lean on Him as your first resort rather than letting Him be your last resort. When God is where we turn first, we will have oriented our lives properly.

Also, as I always challenge you to do in one way or another, continue praying and studying the Bible for yourself in order to learn what Jesus and God are like personally. While most people today have ideas and opinions about what God is like, choose to shape your opinion through the lens of the big themes of the Bible, and you’ll only ever truly discover these themes for yourself if you personally study the Bible – for yourself.

And as I end every set of challenges by saying in one way or another, never stop short of, back away from, chicken out of, or walk away from where God wants to lead you to in your life with Him!