Warriors Arise: July 16th, 2020
John 20:24-25 (NKJV) Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.”
So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”
When Jesus appeared in the midst of the disciples, Luke records Jesus asking them, "Why are you troubled"? Jesus also asked, "And why do doubts arise in your hearts"? Then Jesus proceeds to show them His hands and feet. He even invited them to "handle" Him. He wants them to know He is flesh and blood. He is not a spirit.
Thomas, one of the twelve disciples is not among them when Jesus appears. When the disciples tell him, "We have seen the Lord" his response seems harsh. It is as if he is saying, "I will not be made a fool again!" And someone who does not want to be made a fool has to have proof. In any group, that has spent as much time together as the twelve disciples, there will come a time when they start playing jokes on each other. Who knows if Thomas was with the disciples when the three women shared what the angel had said on the day Jesus resurrected from the grave. But they were sent to tell them all, so Thomas would have known. Then Mary actually saw and spoke with Jesus. Surely, word would have made it to Thomas again.
Keep in mind, none of disciples believed the testimony of the women. None of the disciples believed the two men who returned from Emmaus. None of them believed when the two men testified that Simon had seen Jesus. Which is why Jesus said to them in Luke 24:38, "And why do doubts arise in your hearts?"
Why would Thomas believe the other ten disciples when he knew he knew none of them had believed. Now they were seeking him out, ambushing him with what he may have thought was a bad joke. And he didn't think it was a laughing matter nor was he going to take the bait. Thomas wasn't there when Jesus showed up and he had not reason to believe that they weren't playing a horrible joke since he was the only one missing. It made him a target and he didn't want to have anything to do with it.
When we are not where we are supposed to be, we can lose focus for a period of time or indefinitely. Our hearts can become hard and our mind is controlled by our own desires. We can feel the need to protect ourselves. Thomas found a way to protect himself as his heart became hard.
The disciples catch up with Thomas and testify that Jesus is alive. Thomas' response seems harsh. His response makes me think He is determined that he is not going to fall for whatever it is they are trying to pull. He is not going to be deceived into believing a fairytale again. He will not be laughed at for wasting more time on what would never be.
My heart goes out for people who have served the Lord faithfully. They have done the mighty acts of God and followed Him with all their heart, with all their soul, with all their mind and then something happens. They are derailed because of conflict in the church, people they admired stumbled into sin, a family crisis, loss of a job etc. The list goes on. They prayed, asking God to do the miraculous but the miracle never comes. They made a vow to serve the Lord faithfully IF God would just do this miracle for them. But the miracle doesn't happen the way they believe God should have responded. The ultimatum was laid before the Lord.
When an ultimatum has been given, it is a form of manipulation and control. God says manipulation in a form of witchcraft. An ultimatum does not express love. God will not be controlled. God will be wise, just, full of compassion, and demonstrate His love.
Thomas is hurting, he missed it. He was not there when Jesus appeared. He was upset. Have you ever missed being a part of something you really wanted to do? How were you feeling when you missed it? If we were honest, I'm pretty sure we could all agree that we would be upset if not angry.
Thomas wasn't there; hurt can turn to anger and anger can cause us to be demanding. Jesus offered for the disciples to look upon Him hands and feet and they could touch Him. The disciples did not ask to, Jesus offered.
Thomas demanded, he made an ultimatum. In his anger, hearing Jesus would not be enough, seeing Jesus would not be enough. He had to touch Jesus' nail scarred hands. Thomas would not be made a fool again. He would have the same opportunities as the others or he would not believe.
Father, it is a terrible thing to miss You. It is even worse when others heard Your voice, saw You work, and felt Your presence, then I have to deal with jealousy and anger. I am jealous that others did get those experiences with You. I am angry at myself for not being where I should have been. I want to come clean before You. I ask for You to remind me of any time I have place an ultimatum on You. I pray I have enough maturity to repent and seek Your forgiveness. I humble myself before You as I bless those who have positioned themselves to receive from You. I bless their time with You to increase and that each one would receive increase in their calling. I ask to be forgiven for the times I have placed an ultimatum on our relationship. I have asked You to do what I think is best, seeking my own needs rather than listening to Your direction, following You, trusting You, Your ways, and Your timing. I desire to know where You are at work and join You. I desire to be a part of the solution, releasing Your kingdom here on earth. I ask that I have the courage to receive the testimony of how You have intervened in the lives of others. I trust You to lead me in to all truth. I trust You to come in Jesus' name amen.
A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,
Veridee Joy
My hope is for Believers in Jesus Christ to join together each day to pray, to push back the enemy as we release God’s power here on earth against the coronavirus. The prayers will be listed each day as Warriors Arise. I will put a date with it so we can keep them straight. If you have any questions please feel free to make a comment or private message me. If you would like this to come to your email directly please go to verideehand.com and subscribe.
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