Title: Who is Jesus? John 20:26-29
Contents Today's text introduces the process of confession of faith by Thomas, who was branded as a suspicious disciple. Through Thomas' confession of faith, I hope that you will also make a proper profession of faith and serve God. In order to make a true confession of faith like Thomas, three conditions are necessary.
First, we must all meet Jesus once (26-27).
Thomas did not believe that Jesus had died and rose again (25). He said that he would not believe until he touched Jesus' nailed hands and touched the waist that had been pierced by a spear. It also tells of Thomas's clear character that he would definitely see and believe in Jesus. Jesus came to the place where the disciples had gathered and showed Thomas the scars of the nail and the wounds pierced by the spear. And he told Thomas to stop doubting and become a believer. We also need to confirm who Jesus is who died on the cross and was resurrected through God's Word, the Bible. Then you will be able to clearly see who Jesus is through the Word of God.
Second, we must confess Jesus as our Lord and God (28).
How you believe in Jesus determines whether you are a Christian. Professor D A Carson pointed out that Thomas' confession of faith that Jesus is my Lord and God was the best among the disciples' confession of faith. Thomas was skeptical at first, but as soon as he met the resurrected Jesus, he immediately confessed that Jesus was his Lord and God.
Jesus died on the cross for us to save mankind from dying for sin and rose from the dead three days later. And after ascending into heaven, he is interceding for us at the right hand of the heavenly throne. Jesus is fully God and the perfect Son of Man. Thomas made the highest confession of faith that Jesus, who died on the cross for his sins and rose from the dead, is his Lord.
Our confession of faith is to personally and clearly believe and confess that Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose again to become my Lord, claiming and ruling over me. Through this confession of faith, our sins are forgiven and we receive eternal life.
Third, confession of faith in Jesus must be made after hearing the words of the Bible (29).
Thomas believed after seeing the resurrected Jesus himself, but today we believe through the words of the Bible. In today's text, Jesus said that those who believe without seeing Him are more blessed. The belief that Jesus is God comes from listening to the Bible (Romans 10:17). The Holy Spirit works to make us believe in Jesus when we hear the words of the Bible.
Gentlemen, there is no life as empty and worthless as not knowing who Jesus is. It is the greatest blessing in life for humans to believe in Jesus as God and Son of Man. It is a mystery and mystery unique to Christianity that God came to this earth as a human and died to save people. I bless you in the name of the Lord so that you too can confess your faith in Jesus as my Lord like Thomas.