In my sanctified imagination, Thomas must have been overwhelmed and in a daze! Jesus had already shared so much, that Judas would betray him for 30 pieces of silver; that Peter would deny him three times. Then, Jesus declared He was going to heaven, and they were extremely concerned. Yet he tells them to not be troubled and gives three reasons to have peace in their hearts. First, We can take God at His Word. When Jesus said, "Trust in God, and trust also in me," he was reminding his disciples to trust in God's Word (v.1). Scripture had spoken of Jesus' impending crucifixion and his resurrection. Sometimes we miss important information when circumstances become overwhelming. We must remember that to trust God's word. You can trust God's Word because as Jesus stated to the disciples as he gave the object lesson about the fig three in Matthew 24:35 , "Heaven and earth will pass away but my words will never pass away." Secondly, We are going to heaven. Heaven is a prepared place personally by Jesus who said, "I am going to prepare a place for you" (v2). Heaven is not a state of mind. Finally, Jesus is coming back for us. Notice, Jesus said, "I will come and get you". Jesus is not merely going to send for us. He is going to personally escort us to the Father's house! Isn't that good news?! The Bible tells us to "encourage each other with these words" (1 Thessalonians 4:18). In heaven, there will be no more fear, death, pain, or sorrow.
Thomas caught the tail end of his statement. Jesus said, You know the way to the place where I am going" (v4). Thomas must have woke up. "We don't know where you are going," he blurted out, "How can we know the way? (v5)
Jesus provided answers to three pertinent questions that have continued to be sought out by the lost, the learned, and the longing down through the ages. Those questions are "How can I be saved?", "How can I be sure?", and "How can I be satisfied?"
For lost people, Jesus answers the question, "How can I be saved? He says, "I am the way, "No one comes to the Father except through me" (v6). Jesus clearly explains that the only people who will enter heaven will be those who have accepted him as the way - not those who have performed the greatest number of deeds. There are no attributes of deity that the Jesus does not possess. Jesus is the only way to have a relationship with God (Romans 10:9; Acts 12:4; John 3:16). The reason we can have relationship with God is Jesus paid the penalty for our sins on the Cross. Jesus died, and rose again which is what Easter is all about.
For the learned, Jesus answers the question, "How can I be sure?" He says, I am the truth. Everything that is true of God the Father is true of me. Jesus replied to Thomas, "he who has seen me, has seen the Father" (v9). You can be sure when you put faith in Jesus Christ. The word "truth" is used in Scripture in two ways: true as contrasted with false; and genuine as contrasted with unreal. Although both apply to God, when we speak of the truth of God, normally His genuineness is contrasted with false gods of other religions. The Scriptures declare Jesus as the one true God (John 1:1-2; John 17:3).
For the longing who ask, "How can I be satisfied?, Jesus said, I am the life, that is, life in eternity and life on earth. I am water when you are thirsty, and bread when you are hungry. In John 10:10, he stated, "I have come that you may have life and have it more abundantly", in other words, until you are satisfied.
For the learned, Jesus answers the question, "How can I be sure?" He says, I am the truth. Everything that is true of God the Father is true of me. Jesus replied to Thomas, "he who has seen me, has seen the Father" (v9). You can be sure when you put faith in Jesus Christ. The word "truth" is used in Scripture in two ways: true as contrasted with false; and genuine as contrasted with unreal. Although both apply to God, when we speak of the truth of God, normally His genuineness is contrasted with false gods of other religions. The Scriptures declare Jesus as the one true God (John 1:1-2; John 17:3).
For the longing who ask, "How can I be satisfied?, Jesus said, I am the life, that is, life in eternity and life on earth. I am water when you are thirsty, and bread when you are hungry. In John 10:10, he stated, "I have come that you may have life and have it more abundantly", in other words, until you are satisfied.
Not only is Jesus Christ the only way to eternal life, He is the only way to abundant life. Salvation, deliverance, healing, and spiritual growth cannot come any other way except, through Jesus Christ. He is the way!
Follow Jesus Saves Ministries:
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thank you for visiting the Jesus Saves Ministries blog and for taking the time to comment on this post. What you have to say adds value to this blog, so please feel free to express your opinions and share our posts with others.