Journey to ResolveResolution 14: Trust the Words of My Savior

 

We often see the path we’re standing on, but not always the path around the corner. Sometimes it seems we’re on the wrong path because we don’t see what we hope to see or we’re walking farther than we wanted to walk. We question the decisions we’ve made along the way. We even question the published trail guide sometimes.

Can we trust the guide? Of course we can. So, why do we question it? Sometimes we struggle to trust the truth. Sometimes we struggle to trust our Savior even though He is altogether trustworthy?

 

In our third and final visit with Jesus in this series, we join Him when He appeared to His disciples after He defeated death. Satan and his organized, world system could not keep Jesus and His truth locked away in a tomb. He rose from His grave just as He foretold and promised (John 2:18-22, Matthew 16:21). He told His disciples many times that He would rise on the third day. On one occasion, as we studied in Resolution 12, the mother of James and John changed the subject and asked Jesus to sit her two sons on His right and left when He rules in His kingdom (Matthew 20:18-19). In that story, the words of our Savior didn’t phase the mother or any of the twelve disciples. They didn’t take His words to heart and, consequently, didn’t trust them.

They didn’t trust the words of their Savior.

Our 20:26 verse for this resolution is found in John 20 where we see Jesus direct His attention to the disciple we have come to know as ‘Doubting Thomas.’ It’s probably not a fair nickname as it seems many times that all the disciples shared a similar lack of trust. And when we consider our own doubts or hesitation to trust the One we know is all-knowing and absolutely trustworthy, we realize we have the same struggles. So, this resolution is certainly relevant – Resolution 14: I Will Trust the Words of My Savior.

 

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!”

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.”

 

John 20:26-27

 

Earlier in John 20 we see that Jesus already appeared to the other 11 disciples. I imagine they were both astonished and confused. Was it truly Jesus who suddenly stood before them despite the locked doors? Was it their Savior who greeted them with excitement: “Peace be with you!” Yes, it was! The wounds in His hands and side assured them of this. Jesus had risen. They were convinced. They needed to be, for they were to carry the good news of Jesus’ sacrifice to the world (John 20:21-23, Matthew28:18-20).

We don’t know where Thomas was or why he wasn’t present when Jesus first appeared to the disciples. We don’t need to know, but praise Jesus for not overlooking him. He came back for Thomas’ sake, for Thomas was overtaken by the sin of unbelief. His doubt was unreasonable. It was a resistance, for it was not enough to hear that the other disciples saw Jesus, nor to see Jesus and His wounds with his own eyes; and it was not enough to believe the words of His Savior, whether prior to His crucifixion, or at that time, face to face. It seems Thomas didn’t want to believe. There were a couple other occasions where we sense his lack of trust in Jesus’ words and even his cynicism. He didn’t try to understand his Savior (John11:1-16, 14:1-14).

Was Thomas’ hope in his Savior so shattered that he was too proud to receive the good news of His resurrection? Were his expectations deflated at the permanence of the heavy stone against Jesus’ tomb? Did he forget everything Jesus promised, including His resurrection?

Maybe he didn’t understand the words of his Savior. The other disciples also didn’t understand. Jesus explained on multiple occasions that He would die and then rise from His grave, but they didn’t comprehend this critical truth. It wasn’t logical. It wasn’t even possible. But Jesus did the impossible over and again. He turned water into wine. He controlled the weather. He healed untreatable infirmities. He cast out demons. He even raised the dead. Yet there were significant gaps in their faith.

 

*** click to tweet ***

Jesus healed untreatable infirmities.
He even raised the dead.
Yet there were significant gaps in their faith.

*****

 

Here are a few things Jesus did to confirm His identity when He visited the disciples in this story:

• He appeared even though the doors were locked (John 20:19).
• He showed them the wounds in His hands and side (John 20:20).
• He commissioned them to preach the gospel (John 20:21-23).

The disciples knew it was Jesus who stood before them. So, maybe they began to realize the truth of what He foretold about His death and resurrection. Maybe they began to recall more of what He taught them during the 3 years He shared with them as He prepared them for their work to come. Yet we know they didn’t have true clarity of the gospel and their mission work until they received the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-41). That’s when they truly grew to be the Apostles Jesus called them to be. And such confidence they had. Such boldness. Such resilience and determination.

  

When we understand the words of Jesus,
we have confidence in His promises.
(tweet this)

 

Do you suppose Thomas would have responded differently than the other disciples had he been present with them the first time? How would you have responded?

Jesus invited Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side.” Thomas had a more intimate encounter with Jesus than the rest of the disciples. We may need that extra connection to turn our doubting into believing. Faith is a bigger leap for some of us (John 20:29). With that extra help from Jesus, Thomas was confident in His Savior as he responded, “My Lord and my God!” He was ready to join the rest of the disciples on their new mission – to make disciples of all nations, teaching them to obey our Savior (Matthew 28:16-20).

Thomas and the rest of the disciples, with confidence in the words and promises of their Savior, were ready to make their own promises to Jesus. They were ready to accept His charge to preach and teach the gospel, and to brave the difficulties that came with it.

 

When the words of Jesus hit home,
we should remember how worthy He is of our promises.
(tweet this)

 

As we become more familiar with the words of Jesus, our understanding grows and we respond with increasing commitment to Him and His mission. And there will be some special times with Jesus, too - more intimate times. When those times come, we should pay close attention to what He may be telling us and what He wants us to do for Him. Then, we should step forward with trust in the words of our Savior.

Thomas learned to trust the Jesus? How about us? Will we trust the words of our Savior? Will we believe His written Word? Will we promise to follow and honor Him? He is worthy.

 

2 more resolutions coming soon...

The resolutions and Bible books in this series:

I will…

1.    Worship God Alone (Exodus 20:24)

2.    Be More Holy (Leviticus 20:24)

3.    Aim High (Numbers 20:24)

4.    Trust in God’s Strength (Judges 20:25)

5.    Nurture Quality Friendships (1 Samuel 20:25)

6.    Stand for God’s Government (2 Samuel 20:25)

7.    Follow God through Highs and Lows (1 Kings 20:25)

8.    Let God Win My Battles (2 Chronicles 20:25)

9.    Rise Above the Naysayers (Job 20:25)

10. Trust God’s Ways (Proverbs 20:25)

11. Allow God to Correct Me (Ezekiel 20:25)

12. Serve Others Without the Glory (Matthew 20:26)

13. Rely On the Wisdom of God (Luke 20:26)

14. Trust the Words of My Savior (John 20:26) - this post

15. Complete the Work God Has for Me (Acts 20:26)

 

If you want to dialog more about trusting the words of our Savior or getting to know Jesus better, feel free to leave a comment or email me at authordlv@att.net.

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