JOHN: “Doubting” Thomas

                  One of the twelve disciples, Thomas is best known for his inability to believe Christ had risen from the dead. This inability earned him the nickname “Doubting” Thomas. He wasn’t there when Jesus first presented himself to the other disciples, therefore, in John 20:25, he said “Unless I see the nail holes in his hands and can place my finger into the wound in his side I will not believe.”

                  While it was true that Thomas was a doubter, his doubts had a purpose. He didn’t live a life of doubt. Thomas simply wanted to know the truth. So when Jesus appeared to the disciples eight days after his first meeting with them, with Thomas present this time, Jesus invited the disciple to come see and feel for himself. Once Thomas had done what he had wished to do, he cried out in a loud voice, “My Lord & my God!” Of that incident Augustine remarked, “He doubted that we might believe.” ^[1]

                  Thomas always seemed to have the pertinent question, such as when Jesus told his disciples he was going to prepare a place for them, Thomas spoke up asking the burning question in John 14:5, “Lord, we do not know where you are going, and how can we know the way?” Jesus response was succinct, “I am the way, the truth and the Life”. (John 14:6)

                  After Christ’s resurrection, Thomas was on the Sea of Galilee with six other disciples when Jesus signaled to them from the shore and also in the Upper Room after the Lord’s ascension. According to tradition, Thomas shared the gospel in Parthia and Persia. Later tradition places Thomas in India, where he was martyred. The Mar Thomas church in India traces its origin back to Thomas.

                  We can doubt without living a doubting way of life. Doubt brings about the rethinking of a subject. Verbalizing your doubts can be helpful, silence in the midst of doubt rarely finds answers.

                  This ends our look at the Gospel of John. Up next we dive into The Book of the Acts of the Apostles or just simply The Book of Acts. Until then, walk with the King and be a blessing.

 

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible

^[1] TLASB; p.2349

JOHN: Mary Magdalene

                    Some folks thru the years have been perturbed that there were no women among the 12 disciples; though there were many women among Jesus’ followers. The thing that was very clear was how Jesus treated women. Although the Jewish culture wasn’t always kind to its women, Jesus treated them with dignity, as people of worth. Therefore, women were drawn to him because he saw them as equal, worthy of respect. Jesus related to women as he created them ... as equal reflectors of God’s image.

                  Mary’s life was a heartwarming example of thankful living.  She had been miraculously freed by the Lord when he drove 7 demons from her. Because of that miraculous deliverance, Mary became an early follower of Jesus. She was energetic, impulsive, and caring. She followed him wherever he would go, tending to the needs of the group she had become a part of. 

                  Mary Magdalene acted out her deep appreciation for what Jesus had done for her with everything she did. She and the disciple John were both present at Jesus crucifixion and it was Mary who, on Sunday morning, was on her way to anoint his body until she saw for herself that he was no longer in the tomb. An angel appeared on the top of the stone that sealed the cave and told her that Jesus had risen and was no longer there.

                  Mary’s faith wasn’t complicated. It may have been child-like, but it was also direct and genuine. She was far more willing to believe and obey than to understand everything. Because of her simple faith, Jesus chose to appear to her first after he had arisen. Thus, she would became the first to deliver to the disciples news of Christ’s resurrection.

                  Up next is a look at the disciple Thomas, often remembered as ‘Doubting Thomas’. Until then, walk with the King and be a blessing.

 

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

 

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible; p. 2343.

 

Mary’s story is told in Matthew 27-28; Mark 15-16; Luke 23-24; and John 19-20.

JOHN: A Look at the Man

            “Although the author’s name does not appear in the Gospel, early church tradition strongly and consistently identified him as the apostle John. The early church father, Irenaeus (c. AD 130-200) was a disciple of Polycarp (c. AD 70-160), who was a disciple of the apostle John, and he testified on Polycarp’s authority that John wrote the Gospel during his residence at Ephesus in Asia Minor when he was advanced in age.” ^[1]

            “While the synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark & Luke) identify the apostle John by name approximately 20 times, he is not directly mentioned by name in the Gospel of John. Instead, the author prefers to identify himself as the disciple ‘whom Jesus loved’.” ^[2] This title is used by the author on 5 separate occasions (John 13:23; 19:26; 20:2; 21:7, 20).

            “The recurring designation of deliberate avoidance by John of his personal name, reflects his humility and celebrates his relation to his Lord Jesus. Had the author been someone other than John the apostle, he would not have omitted John’s name.” ^[3]

            “John and James, his older brother (Acts 12:2) were known as ‘the sons of Zebedee’, but Jesus gave them the name ‘Sons of Thunder’.” ^[4] While no reason for the title is ever explained, “Jesus has a purpose for everything He does, so He must have had a good reason for dubbing James and John as “Sons of Thunder.” “Jesus . . . knew all men. He did not need man’s testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man” (John 2:24-25). In other words, Jesus knew the brothers’ nature when He first met them, and He chose ‘Boanerges’ (or Sons of Thunder) as a fitting nickname.” ^[5]

            “John was an apostle and one of the three most intimate associates of Jesus (along with Peter and James - Matthew 17:1; 26:37), being eyewitness to and participant in Jesus’ earthly ministry (1 John 1:1-4) After Christ’s Ascension, John became a ‘pillar’ in the Jerusalem church (Galatians 2:9). He ministered with Peter until he went to Ephesus, from where he wrote this Gospel and from where the Romans exiled him to Patmos (Rev. 1:9).”

            “The island of Patmos declined when the Romans conquered it. It was used as a place of exile for convicts. This is how Apostle John came to Patmos, exiled by the Roman Emperor Titus Flavius Domitianus in 95 AD. In Patmos, Apostle John converted the inhabitants to Christianity and wrote the Book of Revelation, the Apocalypse. Patmos then became a place of worshipping and pilgrimage and actually, the culture and history of Patmos are strongly connected to the Apocalypse of Saint John.” ^[6]

            Up next we’ll take a look at Mary Magdalene. Until then, walk with the King and be a blessing.

 

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

 

^[1] The MacArthur Bible Commentary; John MacArthur; Thomas Nelson Publishers; p.1338.

^[2] The MacArthur Bible Commentary; John MacArthur; Thomas Nelson Publishers; p.1338.

^[3] The MacArthur Bible Commentary; John MacArthur; Thomas Nelson Publishers; p.1338.

^[4] The MacArthur Bible Commentary; John MacArthur; Thomas Nelson Publishers; p.1339.

^[5] https://www.gotquestions.org/sons-of-thunder.html

^[6] https://www.greeka.com/dodecanese/patmos/history/

JOHN: Expectations Exceeded

            Wherever Jesus went He did the unexpected, which always exceeded the people’s expectations. Let’s look at some examples:

 

1. In Mark 2:1-12, a man was looking to be healed - Jesus ALSO forgave his sins.

 

2. In Luke 5:1-11, the disciples were expecting an ordinary day of fishing - they found the Savior.

 

3. In Luke 7:11-17, a widow had resigned herself to burying her dead son - Jesus restored her son to life. 

 

4. In Matthew 12:38-45, the religious leaders wanted a miracle - Jesus offered them the Creator of miracles.

 

5. In Mark 5:25-34, a woman who sought healing touched Jesus - He helped her see it was her faith that healed her.

 

6. In John 6:1-5, the disciples thought the crowd should be sent home because there was no food - Jesus used a small meal to feed thousands (and there were leftovers).

 

7. In a theme that rippled throughout the Gospels, the crowds looked for a political leader to set up a new kingdom to overthrow Rome’s control - Jesus offered them an eternal, spiritual kingdom to overthrow sin’s control.

 

8. In John 13:1-20, the disciples wanted to eat the Passover meal with Jesus, their Master - Instead, Jesus washed their feet, showing that He was their servant as well.

 

9. In John 11:53; 19:30; 20:1-29, the religious leaders wanted Jesus killed and got their wish - But Jesus rose from the dead.

 

                  There are times when nothing is as it seems. Jesus was a man, who was not a man. He was the Son of Man and the Son of God. He came across as somewhat passive, as an example of how followers were supposed to act. His passion to save the lost was felt whenever He spoke. He didn’t have to come down to reveal God’s power, glory, and eternal salvation, but He needed to and that makes all the difference in the world. It was God’s plan from the beginning of time and Christ’s death was the pinnacle of selfless, self-sacrifice. No one before or since would ever decide to die for someone else. The pride of life is too strong to lay your own body down for any reason. Jesus willingly gave Himself up to those who wished to do Him harm, just so we wouldn’t have to. 

                  Up next we’ll take an up close look at the Apostle John, author of the Gospel we’re looking at now. Until then, walk with the King and be a blessing.

 

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Study Bible

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible; p. 2323.

JOHN: The High Priest Caiaphas

            “Caiaphas was the leader of the religious group called the Sadducees. Educated and wealthy, they were politically influential in the nation. As the elite group, they were on fairly good terms with Rome. They hated Jesus because he endangered their secure lifestyles and taught a message they couldn’t accept. A kingdom in which leaders served had no appeal to them. 

         Caiaphas’ usual policy was to remove any threats to his power by whatever means necessary. For Caiaphas, whether Jesus should die was not the question; the only point to be settled was when his death should take place.” ^[1]

            Caiaphas was High Priest for 18 years. He was the one most directly responsible for Jesus’ death. He used his office as a means of power and personal security. He planned Jesus’ capture, carried out an illegal trial, pressured Pilate to approve the Crucifixion, attempted to prevent the Resurrection and later tried to cover up the fact of Christ’s rising from the dead. He was later involved in the persecution of Christians.

              The thing that should interest us is the fact that God will even use the twisted motives and actions of his enemies to bring about his will. When we cover our selfish motives with spiritual words, God sees our intentions, for he sees our heart.

            Caiaphas’ schemes were actually all part of God’s plan, which He was carrying out. We have a dichotomy in that Caiaphas was willing to sacrifice another man, albeit innocent, to preserve his own security and authority, which is selfish. By contrast, Jesus was willing to die in the place of all sinners, which is decidedly selfless.

           Caiaphas represents all the people who will not believe because they think it will cost them too much to accept Jesus as Lord. Where do you stand? Up next we’ll take a look at how Jesus exceeded people’s expectations. Until then, walk with the King and be a blessing.

 

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible (TLASB)

^[1] TLASB; p. 2319

JOHN: Lazarus

            We already touched on the man, now let’s look at his burial. There was nothing special about it; however, it would be of some intrinsic value to know how it was done.

                  First of all, Lazarus body would have had to be buried quickly due to the climate in that desert area. The high heat would have caused the body to begin to decompose causing an unclean situation. Therefore, “the body was normally washed, wrapped loosely in linen cloth, and carried to the burial place on a wooden stretcher. Burial could take place in a natural cave or an artificially-made one, referred to as a ‘sepulcher’ ^{(a burial vault)}.  

Natural caves were widened and provided niches or shelves where the bodies could be laid to rest. The mouth of the tomb was sealed either with a disc-shaped stone that ran in an inclined groove in front of the cave or a boulder that fell or was pushed into the access hole beneath it. Either way, the stone was extremely difficult to move once it was in place. Burial caves were painted white as a warning to the living that the dead were there. A living person could not always worship God after having had contact with the dead.” ^[1] All but royalty were buried outside the village or town. 

There was a very specific reason why Jesus stayed where he was for two extra days after he had gotten the news of Lazarus’ death. Lazarus and his two sisters Mary and Martha were close friends of Jesus. When Jesus arrived at the grave site he was told that Lazarus had already been dead for 4 days. Why on earth would Jesus delay?

It is interesting to note that once we turn our lives over to the Lordship of Christ, there is no way of knowing what He will do with us. It’s not that we are in a dictatorial ^[2] relationship with God, not at all. We have been given a free will to do as we please. Jesus delayed on purpose to bring glory to the Father, and he even says that’s his reason in John 11:4-6. Jesus knew raising Lazarus from the dead would make a dramatic statement to all present as to who He was and why He was here. Jesus was the perfect way to draw people to God because He was, in fact, God. The signs and miracles that Jesus performed spoke loudly to a people who had waited a long time for their Messiah to come. The people were hungry for something to place their hope in. Jesus was that something.

Lazarus knew Jesus voice, a testament to the amount of time they must have spent together. When Jesus called for Lazarus, he came from his grave and there is no record of a foul stench of death on him. Lazarus was a vehicle used by God to reveal His tremendous power. Even death itself obeys God. 

Up next is a look at the High Priest Caiaphas. Until then, walk with the King and be a blessing.

 

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Bible resource: The Life Application Study Bible.

^[1] The New Manners & Customs of Bible Times; Dr. Ralph Gower is currently the minister of Cornerstone Baptist Church, Ainsdale, in the northwest of England.

^[2] “Tending to tell others what to do in a presumptuous manner; dictator-like.” ... American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

A New Year’s Prayer

            Heavenly Father, as we embark on a new year assist us in shedding memories of the past that have the potential to stunt our spiritual growth. Let this new year be a blessing to all your children. May revival explode worldwide and may evil be purged from the earth. 

Lord, 2024 should prove to be a year when all wrongs are made right and our perception of you increase. Let us move toward you and not away. Use us all in ways that are spiritually profitable for us as individuals and the entire kingdom of God throughout the new year. May each day going forward galvanize our love for You. May our faith and trust in You and Your Word increases tenfold. Help us not to fear the future, for deep down inside we know you are already there.  You are a great God! Slow to anger, abounding in mercy. We praise Your name and proclaim that You are most worthy of all praise, glory, and honor. 

Thank you for life and the blessings You have already bestowed upon us. We love You and have made a conscious decision to follow You wherever you happen to take us. Let us rejoice in the fact that we are still above ground and breathing. Use us as You will, in the precious name of Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith ... amen!

 

May ALL my brothers and sisters out there have a most joyful and healthy New Year and may God’s unconditional, undying love shine upon us all each and every day of the year.

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

 

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries