“Deliverer Openly
Understands, Bringing Total Salvation.”(D.O.U.B.T.S)
By Ramesh
C.Reddy
Pittsburgh Standard
March
20,
2008
Editors Note: The devotional has a background song by Carman called 'This
Blood' which can be heard if you use Internet
Explorer.
SCRIPTURE:
Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the
Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other
disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them,
"Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the
nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it." (John
20:24-25, NIV)
EXPOSITION:
Observations/Interpretations:
I asked myself what do we learn about Thomas?
1. Thomas was called Didymus.
2. Thomas was one of the Twelve disciples.
3. Thomas was not with the disciples when Jesus came.
4. Thomas did not believe the other disciples really saw the Lord.
5.Thomas stated he was not going to believe unless he saw the nail marks
in Jesus' hands and put his finger where the nails were.
6. Thomas stated he was not going to believe unless he put his hand into
Jesus' side.
I decided to focus on points 5 & 6 and asked
myself what is the significance of Thomas' statement?
Thomas could not believe the other 10 disciples + the women who saw
Jesus alive because he did not witness personally the eyewitness account
of Jesus Christ rising from the dead. To Thomas, if 500 people told him
that they saw Jesus alive he still would not have believed because he
was very scientific minded. He would only believe what was observable.
He had to SEE with his SIGHT the nail marks in Jesus' hands. He had to
TOUCH with his FINGERS where the nails were and he had to TOUCH with his
HAND, Jesus' side.
"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." Thomas
said to him, "My Lord and my God!"Then Jesus told him, "Because you have
seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet
have believed." (John 20:26-29, NIV)
Observations/Interpretations:
I asked myself what do I learn about Thomas
in these verses?
A week later, Thomas was in the same house where he did not
believe when the disciples told him that they had seen Jesus. It has
been a week but Thomas still did not get the scientific evidence he
wanted to believe Therefore, for a whole week, Thomas still did not
believe.
I asked myself, what may have been going through
Thomas' mind?
1. It has been a whole week and I still have not seen Jesus, so
Jesus may not care for me anymore.
2. Jesus does not love me because if He did, He would have showed
himself to me like He did for the rest of the disciples.
3. I stayed with Jesus and the disciples for three years but I did not
get to experience His resurrection.
4. There is persecution out there for followers of Jesus, so I better
stay with the other 10 disciples and the women there behind locked doors
even though I don't feel so good and have turmoil inside.
Imagine these things going through Thomas' mind and then suddenly
something happens!
"Though the doors were locked, Jesus came!"
Jesus stood among them!
Jesus said, "Peace be with you!"
Jesus
knows what Thomas is going through but comes after seven days. Jesus
then stands among them and says, "Peace be with
you!"
I asked myself the significance of coming after 7
days?
Maybe Jesus wanted Thomas to think things through and was testing
him to see if he would stick it out with the disciples and His followers
who were still in the house! Maybe Jesus saw that Thomas was at a
bursting point of unbelief even though He was ministered to Jesus for 3
years, that Jesus decided to intervene now. We don't know except seven
days does have a significance. Maybe, Jesus spent that seven days with
the Father in Heaven. Anyway, Jesus now blesses them with PEACE.
I asked myself the significance of Jesus saying,
"Peace be with you!"?
Jesus is blessing them with peace and sending them emotional
healing. They were afraid behind locked doors and more afraid when they
saw Jesus in their presence after 7 days. Now, just as Jesus used to
speak healing upon people's lives, now Jesus spoke 'PEACE' upon those in
that house. After that everyone was filled with peace because Jesus said
those words.
I asked myself what does Jesus do next?
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."
I asked myself the significance of Jesus' actions?
Even after seven days, Jesus knew exactly what Thomas had said to
the other disciples and gives Thomas' request to ease his scientific
mind. No one told Jesus about Thomas' request but He knew. The only way
He knew was because He heard Thomas' request to the disciples even
though Jesus was not there. Jesus could have ignored Thomas'
request thinking Thomas should not have doubted the other 10 disciples
but he did so I don't want to reveal myself to him but Jesus did not do
that.
Instead, Jesus told Thomas three things:
1. "Put your finger here; see my hands."
2. "Reach out your hand and
put it into my side."
3. "Stop doubting and
believe."
I asked myself the significance of Jesus
saying, "Stop doubting and believe."?
Jesus knew the mind and thoughts of Thomas including his doubts
but Jesus did not abandon Thomas for his doubts even after Thomas spent
3 years with Jesus but still doubted. Instead, Jesus blesses Him with
peace, proves to Him that He is alive, and then tells him to stop
doubting and believe.
It is
also very interesting if you recall from John 14:6 that Jesus told
Thomas: 'I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, no
man comes to the Father except through me!'
It is very possible even then that Thomas had doubts about Jesus
and wondered if Jesus was the only Way, the Truth, and the Life to get
to Heaven. Jesus proved to Thomas then by His Words and now by His
actions to reveal Himself to Thomas addressing him personally!
I asked myself what was the outcome?
Because of the way Jesus handled Thomas, Thomas' doubt was gone
and he believed. Not only did he believe but his faith was strengthened
because of the loving actions of Jesus in His life. This is evidenced by
Thomas statement to Jesus:
Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"
I
asked myself the significance of Thomas' statement?
It is very significant because Thomas now gave the Lordship of his life
over to Jesus believing in Jesus wholeheartedly even though he had
doubts before. Not only that but Thomas acknowledges Jesus to be God.
Wow, that is the most powerful statement made my Thomas to Jesus. Thomas
tells Jesus that He is God and Jesus responds:
Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me,
you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have
believed."
I asked myself the significance of this statement?
Jesus was telling Thomas that his belief was based on observable
evidence but there will be those who believe in Jesus without seeing
Jesus alive. What is much more powerful is that Jesus is telling Thomas
blessed are those who have not seen God and yet have believed in God.
Jesus is acknowledging Thomas' attribution of divinity to Himself.
Thomas believes Jesus is God because He saw Jesus and experienced Jesus.
But Jesus is telling Thomas there will be those who believe, 'I am God'
who have not seen me but believe and it is those that are blessed. Wow!
Implications:
I saw important implications for my own life. Thomas was filled
with doubts and could not believe even when 10+ followers of Jesus told
him about seeing Jesus. Yet, Thomas stayed with the disciples in his
doubt and Jesus revealed the answer to him in his timing. I know
whatever doubts I have, Jesus will reveal His answers to me in His
timing when I do not give up. Jesus will not abandon me in my doubts but
reveal Himself to me. Jesus has done that multiple times especially when
I have wondered if my dad would ever come to know Jesus Christ as His
Lord and Personal Savior and be with Him. I know my daddy is now in the
wonderful presence of Jesus, our Lord and Personal Savior.
I want to share another example where
the Lord Jesus has helped me in my doubts!
I have prayed and prayed for a
situation. When the answer seemed to be there, it was so exciting. But,
then things happened and happened so quickly, it was amazing at first
but then very troubling.
I was so sure about something but when
it is not going as I expected, all kinds of doubt started to creep in. I
needed answers and wanted them quickly. I did not need messengers to
answer my doubts. I took them directly to the Lord Jesus and wondered
about them. I was having doubts about the situation and Jesus knew about
it because I kept bringing it to His attention.
Jesus has taken care of me all these
years and has brought me through trials and tribulations. Jesus still
takes care of me. You would think I would not have any doubts about
anything but it has not happened that way.
Doubt started taking control until Jesus
intervened with His promises. What keeps coming to me is,
“Do not be afraid, just believe.”
I keep telling myself to wait on the
Lord and not to be afraid but just believe the Lord in the situation.
Jesus does comfort me.
After everything Jesus has done, this
situation will not be difficult for Jesus I told myself. If Jesus wants
that situation to go in the direction I expected it to or wanted it to,
it will happen that way. If it does not happen that way, Jesus will
confirm his peace to me so I do not have to be doubtful about the
situation but move on.
Just as Jesus met Thomas in his doubts
and comforted him by answering him I have seen Jesus reach out to me in
multiple ways too. It has been through His Word, through circumstances,
through His community of believers including my mommy and dreams. I felt
like there were messages for me and took it to the Lord.
Seeing Jesus in my dream has been the
best message I have ever had topped by Jesus’ words,
“Do not be afraid just believe” after
waking up.
Jesus could have just ignored me in my
doubts but Jesus has not. As a follower of Christ, when I do have
doubts, He reaches out to me in different ways and lets His presence and
purpose for my life be known. In His timing, I know I will also have the
peace no matter what the outcome of the situation will be for He will
instill His peace.
Doubts about anything can be the hardest
to deal with but thanks be Jesus Christ, my Lord and my God in my
life who will get me through each day. He wants me to trust in Him and
not try to understanding everything that happens along the way but to
lean on Him. Jesus knows what He is doing more than I can ever know.
Just this morning in my Quiet Times, Jesus brought two verses to my mind
and comforted me with them.
“I want you to trust in
me in your times of trouble so that I can rescue you and you can give me
the glory.” (Psalm 50:15, TLB)
"Since the Lord is
directing our steps; why try to understand everything that happens along
the way.” (Proverbs 20:24, NIV)
It is talking to the Lord everyday that
has been bringing me through. As Jesus takes care of me, whatever you
are going through, Jesus will not abandon you too especially in your
doubts. All we have to do is look how Jesus handled the situation with
John the Baptist and Doubting Thomas.
Dear friends, I ask you
now how do you handle doubts?
Dear friend, we live in a world where doubts can creep into our lives
because of situations that happen and situations that do not happen.
Whatever doubts you are going through, the same Lord who reached out to
Thomas will reach out to you. You are loved and precious in the Lord's
sight! When you came to Jesus, He decided never to leave you nor forsake
you. Jesus did not leave Thomas when Thomas doubted and He will not
leave you.
Jesus will keep His promises! This is
exciting to know friend. The pain of a situation may still be there but
His comfort can be there too. Jesus sent word to comfort John the
Baptist and Thomas in his doubt. Jesus will get you through too! Whether
it has to do with your career situation, academic situation, relational
situation, health situation or any major situation in your life, you are
not alone.
Yes, you are not! Jesus wants to be
there for you and wants you to hold on to His promises. John the Baptist
and Thomas had expectations from Jesus but his situation gave him doubts
but Jesus assured him through his doubts about why He came!
No matter what the despair and doubt,
remember that Jesus will not abandon you. He will reach out to you just
as he reached out to John the Baptist and Thomas. Oh Yes, He will. When
you feel down and in despair, remember all that the Lord Jesus has done
already in your life and in the lives of others.
You may not even know how many are
interceding on your behalf before the Prince of Peace. You are not
alone. You can talk directly to the Lord what you are going through.
Yes, you can! Just pour out to Him! Don’t feel like, you talked to Him
once about the situation and that should be enough. Everyday, continue
to talk to Him and there will come a day when you will experience His
peace shattering the doubt.
Jesus reaches out to you too and will
not forget what you have done for Him and your service to Him. In your
circumstances that are filling you with doubt and despair, come to the
Lord and stand upon His Word and promises.
May you find the peace and joy in the
Lord and blessed are those who do not fall away on account of Jesus!
We will all face trials and tribulations
but the important thing is what do we do with those trials and
tribulations! God loves you my friend and it may be hard to face what
you are going through. The Lord suffers with you and knows your pain.
Lean on Him!
More than anything even if the situation
we are hoping for does not come the way we want it, Jesus will be our
Prince of Peace through the situation and give us the strength to bear
through it and give us His joy. You are never out of His love and never
out of His reach. He loves you as you are and reaches out to you friend.
Jesus gives you the Fruit of the Spirit to give you a wonderful taste
even through the doubt.
We can have victory over sin, over
doubt, etc because of what Jesus did on the cross at Calvary for you and
me. He died for all of your sins no matter how stained you feel and came
back to life to save you. He wants to be your God and wants you to
journey with Him through your life's doubts, despair, depression, etc so
He can deliver you and set you free in His timing. Only Christ can
wash away all of our sin and set us free. Come to Jesus and let Him work
in your life. Ask Him to set you free and enjoy the adventure with
Jesus, our Lord God and our Savior!
May you know how much you are loved by Jesus no matter what you have
done or no matter where you have been! He loves you so much that He paid
the price for you.
I want to share with you a poem called ‘Bible Academy III: Fruit of the
Spirit’, the Lord helped me to write years ago which I revised today!
Bible Academy III: Fruit
of the Spirit
By Ramesh C. Reddy
LOVE is plumpy peach
sweeter than pistachio dough,
peachy like Christ's love.
JOY is a green grape
tastier and happier than an onion tape.
Joyful to know Christ.
PEACE is a banana,
white and fragrant than Havana.
Looks for Prince of Peace.
PATIENCE is a plum,
stickier as a fruity gum,
loving God with patience.
KINDNESS is Honeydew,
richer than my money view,
reminding me of Christ.
FAITHFULNESS is bright,
Brighter than luscious orange bite.
Faith brings you to God.
GENTLENESS is soft,
Softer than teddy's cherry loft,
cherishing Jesus Christ.
SELF-CONTROL is strong,
Stronger than a pineapple in Hong Kong
Showing Christ's love.
GOODNESS is sweet as a
watermelon.
As Christ
neutralize every demon
using Word of God.
Amen!
May you be uplifted knowing Deliverer
openly understands bringing total Salvation! Amen!
“Deliverer Openly
Understands, Bringing Total Salvation.”(D.O.U.B.T.S)/”How
do you handle doubts?”
Prayer:
Oh Father God, we just come before you now. Thank you so much Father God
for your Son Jesus Christ, for sending Him into this world to rescue
sinners like me. Oh Lord Jesus, thank you so much for being with me when
I have faced trials and tribulations. Even in my doubts you never left
me and kept to your promises and you will continue too. Oh Lord I thank
you for loving us so much. Your Word shows us that trials and
tribulations are a part of life but you will be with us. You want us to
remember all that you have done for us even when we are filled with
despair. You want us to trust in you and we want to do that Oh Lord. I
thank you Lord for reaching out to Thomas in his time of despair and
doubt. Thank you for reaching out to us too. We are so sorry for all our
sins and ask you to forgive us and rescue us. Light the fire in our
hearts again Oh Lord and fan the flame. Make us whole Oh Lord. You know
Oh Lord where we have been and we need you. Light the fire that once
burned so bright for you. I thank you Jesus. We give ourselves to you
and rest in you Lord. We rest in your love and care. Give us an
undivided heart that we may praise your Name. Thank you for hearing us
and answering us! In Your Name We Pray Jesus! Amen!
Now won’t you accept what He did for you and come
into His presence and give your life to Him so He can cover the virus of
sin with His blood cleansing us and making us clean?
He will give us a transfusion of change! Yes, He will my friend!
PRAYER:
Dear Jesus, I love you. Thank you for
loving me so much and thank you for choosing the cross to die for me.
You became the Son of Man and lived here on earth. Then you humbled
yourself and became obedient to death-even death on the cross. Thank you
for dying on the cross for my sin. You died on the cross so that I can
be covered in your blood and cleansed by your blood as I acknowledge
that I need you and cannot enter Heaven without you being my pathway.
So, Jesus I confess all my sins to you and all the ways I have tried to
get into Heaven when you already provided the means and the Way. Thank
you for all that you have done for me. The cross is the place, a
wonderful place where accused and condemned find mercy and grace. Thank
you Jesus, it is at the cross where the wrongs we have done and the
wrongs done to us were nailed at the cross. Thank you Jesus, at the
cross you died for our sins and at the cross you gave your life for us.
I thank you for that and thank you for coming back to life to save us.
Thank you Jesus for being there for me! Thank you for loving me. I love
you Jesus! Please take me as I am and make my life into something that
you will be proud of. I surrender my life to you and need your help to
live for you. I am forever grateful for what you have done for me and I
can never repay you. I want to live for you and need your help. Help me
Jesus please. I thank you Jesus for saving me! Thank you for hearing my
prayer and answering me. Whatever your will give me the willingness and
strength to bear it. Thank you Jesus! I acknowledge you as my Lord and
Personal Savior! In Your Name I Pray precious Jesus! Amen!
Friend, if you have prayed this
prayer and meant it in your heart, you are a new creation in Christ and
all old things are passed away and everything has become new! You may
feel something or may not but don’t base it on feelings but base your
new life in Christ on the promises of our Savior who will never leave
you nor forsake you! Amen!
Spend time in His word and let the Lord
speak to you! Start out in the Gospel of John! You can also check out
the Gospel of Mark which are the devotionals I have been going through.
Learn from Jesus through study and prayer. Also find yourself a church
fellowship and a college fellowship you can be part of where you can be
part of a community of believers to supplement your own walk with the
Lord. Let it be a Bible-believing and Bible-breathing church! Believe in
Bible Live Eternally!
Feel free to email me at
reddy4hisglory2004@yahoo.com if you want to meet to study the Bible,
pray with, talk about Spiritual issues or whatever is on your mind! My
number is 412-720-4579
"This is my
work and I can do it only because Christ's mighty energy is at work
within me." (Colossians 1:29, TLB)
Love in Christ,
Ramesh
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' I AM ' Series
Archives:
What kind of L.I.G.H.T do you follow? (Dec 13,
07, 10:09 a.m.)
"What kind of B.R.E.A.D do you eat?" (Dec 08,
07, 10:10 a.m.)
"Who is your S.H.E.P.H.E.R.D?"
(June 30,
06)
Gospel of Mark Archives:
Mark 1:1:
"What does the G.O.S.P.E.L mean to you?" (Jan
15, 08, 1:15 p.m.)
Mark 1:1-4: "How
seriously do you T.E.S.T.I.F.Y about prophesy?" (Jan
12, 08, 11:18 p.m.)
Mark 1:5-8:
"Who do you P.O.I.N.T to?" (Jan 16, 08,
8:48 a.m.)
Mark 1:9:
How will you take a S.T.A.N.D? (Jan 17, 08,
11:21 a.m.)
Mark 1:9-11:
"How is your loving P.R.A.I.S.E?" (Jan 18, 08,
8:53 a.m.)
Mark 1:12-13: "How
do you handle T.E.M.P.T.A.T.I.O.N?" (Jan 19,
08, 12:27 p.m.)
Mark 1:14-15:
How do you handle T.I.M.E given to you? (Jan
21, 08, 1:31 p.m.)
Mark 1:16-18:
"What kind of P.R.O.F.E.S.S.I.O.N are you in?" (Jan
26, 08, 10:22 a.m.)
Mark
1:19-20:
"Without having to P.R.O.C.R.A.S.T.I.N.A.T.E, what should you do?"
(Jan 29, 08,
10:44 a.m.)
Mark
1:20-22:
"How do you rate in the B.U.S.I.N.E.S.S of Jesus?" (Jan
30, 08, 11:29 a.m.)
Mark
1:20-22:
"Whose T.E.A.C.H.I.N.G.S do you follow?" (Jan
31, 08, 11:52 a.m.)
Mark
1:23-28:
"What C.A.P.T.I.V.I.T.Y are you facing today?" (Feb
01, 08, 10:35 a.m.)
Mark 4:3-20:
"What if Jesus talked F.O.O.T.B.A.L.L?" (Feb
02, 08, 10:35 a.m.)
Mark 1:29-31:
"Where do you need H.E.A.L.I.N.G?" (Feb 05,
08, 11:44 a.m.)
Mark 1:32-34:
"Where do you need an A.N.S.W.E.R?" (Feb 06,
08, 11:16 a.m.)
Mark 1:35-39:
"Where do you give your S.O.L.I.T.A.R.Y time to the Lord?" (Feb
07, 08, 11:41 a.m.)
Mark 1:40-42:
"Where do you need to be C.L.E.A.N?" (Feb 09,
08, 11:00 a.m.)
Mark 1:43-45:
"What do your actions C.A.U.S.E?" (Feb 11, 08,
9:23 a.m.)
MARK CHAPTER 2:
Mark 2:1-2:
"What do you do with your P.O.P.U.L.A.R.I.T.Y?" (Feb
12, 08, 9:52 a.m.)
Mark 2:2-5:
"What kind of F.R.I.E.N.D are you?" (Feb
13, 08, 11:49 a.m.)
Mark 2:5-12:
"Where does P.A.R.A.L.Y.S.I.S take hold of you?" (Feb
15, 08, 7:42 a.m.)
Mark 2:5-12:
"What are you thinking in your M.I.N.D?" (Feb
16, 08, 11:08 a.m.)
Mark 2:5-12:
"What do you represent by your A.C.T.I.O.N.S?" (Feb
18, 08, 8:23 a.m.)
Mark 2:13-15:
"Where are you looking for A.C.C.E.P.T.A.N.C.E?" (Feb
19, 08, 11:22 a.m.)
Mark
2:15-17:
"Who do you I.N.V.I.T.E to Jesus?" (Feb 20,
08, 9:57 a.m.)
Mark
2:18-20:
"When do you F.A.S.T?" (Feb 21, 08,
9:32 a.m.)
Mark 2:21-22:
"How do you see your L.I.F.E?" (Feb 22, 08,
9:56 a.m.)
Mark 2:23-28:
"What kind of L.E.A.D.E.R will you be? (Feb
23, 08, 10:46 a.m.)
Mark 2:23-28:
"What does the S.A.B.B.A.T.H mean to you?" (Feb
25, 08, 10:46 a.m.)
CHAPTER 3:
Mark 3:1-6:"Whose
N.E.E.D.S do you meet?" (Feb 26, 08,
9:54 a.m.)
Mark 3:7-8:
"What is your I.M.P.A.C.T?" (Feb 27, 08,
8:17 a.m.)
Mark 3:9-11:
"What S.P.A.C.E do you give yourself?" (Feb
28, 08, 9:38 a.m.)
Mark 3:11-12:
"How do you fight E.V.I.L?" (Feb 29, 08,
9:11 a.m.)
Mark 3:13-16:
"What emphasis do you put on your R.E.L.A.T.I.O.N.S.H.I.P with Jesus?"
(March 01, 08, 9:29
a.m.)
Mark 3:17-19:
"Where do you have your A.P.P.O.I.N.T.M.E.N.T in?" (March
03, 08, 9:49 a.m.)
Mark 3:20:
"Where do you G.A.T.H.E.R?" (March 04, 08,
12:07 p.m.)
Mark 3:21:
"How are your actions seen by your F.A.M.I.L.Y?" (March
05, 08, 10:24 a.m.)
Mark 3:22-27:
"How do you handle S.L.A.N.D.E.R?" (March 06,
08, 7:57 a.m.)
Mark 3:28-30:
"What is your V.I.E.W of Jesus?" (March 07, 08,
8:18 a.m.)
Mark 3:31-34:
"What do you do with God's Will?" (March 08,
08, 8:45 a.m.)
CHAPTER 4:
Mark 4:1-20:
"What do P.A.R.A.B.L.E.S mean to you?" (March
10, 08, 7:15 a.m.)
Mark 4:1-20:
"What if Jesus talked F.O.O.T.B.A.L.L?" (Feb
02, 08, 10:35 a.m.)
Mark 4:1-20:
"Where are you in your W.A.L.K with the Lord?" (March
11, 08, 9:32 a.m.)
Audio:
"Where are you in your W.A.L.K with the Lord?" (March
11, 08, 11:05 a.m.)
Mark 4:21-23:
"What kind of L.A.M.P will you be?" (March 12,
08, 9:40 a.m.)
Audio:
"What do you C.O.N.C.E.A.L?" (March 14, 08,
10:11 a.m.)
"What do you C.O.N.C.E.A.L?" (March 14, 08,
8:52 a.m.)
John 12:12-15:
"How can you B.L.E.S.S the Lord?" (March 17,
08, 1:25 a.m.)
Philippians 2:8:
"What does the C.R.O.S.S mean to you?" (March
20, 08, 1:16 p.m.)
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