April 16, 2006

 

Intro: John 20:24-29- an amazing incident to further

evidence that Jesus is God in the flesh.

 

I. John records certain necessary events following

Jesus’ resurrection.

1) Note his explanation: 20:30 and 21:24-25

2) This incident, tho private, was used as a public

witness- “believing” was not equally shared by all the

disciples- note Mk.16:14

 

II. Thomas represents someone who needed an

empirical experience of Jesus’ resurrection.

1) “see and touch”- John allows Thomas’ demands to be

reported-

2) Thomas was “wound conscious”—needing to verify

the One appearing was the One crucified.

3)  Thomas’ experience was persuasive- see vs.28

Seeing & hearing works!- observe I John 1:1-3

 

III. These convinced-disciples viewed their ex-

perience of the resurrected Jesus as making them

to be “witnesses”.   Acts 1:3, 22;  2:32; 13:30-31

1) They were protective of their claim- I Pet.5:1, II Pet.1:16

2) Yet, their testimony was to prove to be fatal in some

cases.

3) Yet, reports were not exaggerated, but carefully given-

Luke 1:1-4  and I Cor.15:3-8

 

IV. Their conclusion was that Jesus’ resurrection

gave convincing proof that Jesus was God and He

had fulfilled OT prophecy.

  The resurrection was not an isolated event, but part of

the plan of God- Lk.24:13-27 and 24:44-49—and became

basis of a larger picture of Divine action and intention.