SERMON: “Believing Without Seeing” (John 20:24–31)
“Believing
Without Seeing” (John 20:24–31)
Series: “John: Life in Christ’s Name” #107 Text: John 20:24–31
By: Shaun Marksbury Date: June
22, 2025
Venue: Living Water Baptist Church Occasion: AM Service
I.
Introduction
What we’re reading about is a common struggle. As the old saying goes, seeing is
believing. There have been philosophers
in history who have said we must first see and have as much information as
possible before we can make any informed position. There may be a certain wisdom in that, but we
don’t live life like that — we make value judgments all the time like choosing
friends or activities without seeing all the facts first.
In fact, wanting to have every piece of information can
become an obsession which keeps us from making decisions. Imagine a little boy refusing to ride a bike
until he’s guaranteed he won’t fall, or a man avoiding a job opportunity
because he can’t predict how it will go. This is how some neuroses work! At some point, we must even counsel ourselves
so we don’t get trapped in indecisiveness.
The truth is that we often use lack of information as an
excuse to avoid making an important decision.
This may stem from fear, stubbornness, or even laziness, but it is often
just an excuse. For instance, there are
many who express a desire to see Jesus first so they can believe.
This is something like what happens with Thomas, but he
learns that faith doesn’t require sight.
Today, we’ll also learn through three key truths that we can believe
without seeing. First, we’ll consider the
refusal to believe (vv. 24–25). Second,
we’ll consider the Lord’s grace granting belief (vv. 26–29). Third, we’ll consider the invitation to
believe (vv. 30–31).
II.
First, Consider the Refusal to Believe (vv.
24–25)
But Thomas, one of
the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples were saying to him, “We
have seen the Lord!” But he said to
them, “Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger
into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not
believe.”
Thomas here is called “one of the twelve.” It’s worth noting, before we even get to
Thomas, that the disciples are still called “the twelve.” Remember that Judays betrayed the Lord and is
no more, but the title remains for the other eleven.[1] The Holy Spirit’s language is one of the
reasons we see that this was an official group of disciples.
Thomas is also called “Didymus” here. This term means “twin” in Greek. It’s possibly a nickname, because we see him in
John’s Gospel showing both courage and pessimism. In John 11:16, when Jesus plans to return near
Jerusalem despite danger, Thomas says, “Let us also go, so that we may die with
Him.” As MacArthur notes, “Thomas was the eternal pessimist. Like Eeyore in the Winnie the Pooh stories,
he was a melancholy person, with an uncanny knack for finding the dark cloud in
every silver lining.”[2] Yet, Thomas still has a certain courage and
loyalty to Jesus, if it is not also clouded at times.
Here, we read that Thomas “was not with them when Jesus
came.” Jesus had appeared to the
disciples on Resurrection Sunday (John 20:19–23), showing His hands and side,
proving He was alive. But Thomas missed
it. We don’t know why; whether he was
grieving alone or running an errand, the text doesn’t say. Yet, his absence sets up this important text.
It’s worth noting that this means he also missed Jesus’s promise
of the Holy Spirit (v. 22). Last time, I noted that Jesus was giving the promise
and not imparting the Holy Spirit.
Those who believe He was giving them the Spirit at that point see
Pentecost as a second experience in the Spirit.
The idea is that they received the Holy Spirit at this point like we do
at salvation, but then they receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit at a later
time. However, Scripture never tells
believers that they are only at an entry level with the Holy Spirit at
salvation, and that there is a need to seek a second experience to become truly
spiritual and empowered for ministry.
Here, we see that not even all of Jesus’s disciples were present at this
moment. It is best to see v. 22 as a
promise, and we should simply believe that we have the Holy Spirit in fulness
already rather than seek new experiences.
That aside, Thomas had missed Jesus’s visit and His
promise. Kids, have you ever missed
something exciting, like a surprise at school, because you were absent? That’s how Thomas felt. But his absence doesn’t excuse his response,
for he had heard Jesus predict His resurrection (John 2:19; Mark 8:31) and
should’ve trusted that promise, even without seeing!
Instead, Thomas demanded empirical, tangible evidence when
the other disciples excitedly tell Thomas, “We have seen the Lord!” In light of their joy, he responds with
stubborn unbelief: “Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put
my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will
not believe.” He won’t believe until he
sees and even feels the evidence for himself!
In Thomas’s defense,
the other disciples received the same evidence here (v. 20). And, Mark 16:11 records that all the
disciples initially refused to believe when they heard from Mary Magdelene, so it’s
not that Thomas’s reaction is completely odd.
Still, John came to believe without seeing the body (v. 8), and Thomas
had a chance to follow him in this distinct honor.
Thomas could’ve
trusted his friends’ testimony, men he knew were honest. As Matthew Henry notes, Thomas disregarded
Jesus’s predictions, distrusted his fellow disciples, and limited God by
demanding his own terms for belief.[3]
He even risked discouraging others, like
how one grumbling student might bring down the mood of a whole classroom, or
one discouraged soldier might defeat morale.
This is a sinful response we must mark and avoid within ourselves.
Thomas’s story warns
us about using a lack of evidence as an excuse. Maybe you doubt God’s love when prayers aren’t
answered the way you want. Perhaps you
hesitate to trust God’s plan because you can’t see the future. Maybe you’re even delaying faith and
repentance in Jesus because you’re still unsure about a few questions. Yet, is it fear or stubbornness that makes us
say, “I need to see it to believe it”? Scripture
calls us to trust God’s Word and the testimony of others, even when we don’t
have all the answers.
Thankfully, the Lord
helps us in our weakness. That’s what we
see next:
III.
Second, Consider the Lord’s Grace Grants Belief
(vv. 26–29)
After eight days
His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors having been shut, and
stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” Then He said to Thomas, “Reach here with your
finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and
do not be unbelieving, but believing.” Thomas
answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me,
have you believed? Blessed are they who
did not see, and yet believed.”
Here, we see the sovereign grace of our Lord in action. Thomas is one of Christ’s sheep that is
straying, so Jesus gives Thomas what he needs to come to faith. Let’s consider that for a moment.
First, we read that this is eight days later. Now, that is likely the next Sunday, based on
how evening and mornings were counted. Our Lord rose from
the grave on Sunday, visited His disciples on Sunday, and then visited them
again on the following Sunday evening. Where
He was in-between is a mystery and not revealed to us,[4]
but the Apostle John might have felt it important to explain why early
Christians have placed a high priority on Sunday worship.[5] It truly is the Lord’s Day.
Yet, no worship was happening yet on this Sunday
evening. The disciples are indeed gathered
again, this time with Thomas. The doors
are again “shut” (locked, as in v. 19), showing they’re still afraid. This
is evidence of the need for the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, when they will boldly
exit locked rooms to proclaim the truth.
Suddenly, Jesus appears, standing “in their midst.” This
emphasizes that both instances were miraculous, and He comes to bless their
private gathering.[6] He says again, “Peace be with you,”
offering divine peace to calm their fears.[7] He is also here in our Sunday worship, offering
us His grace and peace.
In v. 27, Jesus turns directly to Thomas, singling him out from the rest. One can only imagine how this stubborn
disciple felt in this moment, heart beating and thinking about his previous
stubbornness. Jesus then says, “Reach
here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it
into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing.” Jesus knows Thomas’s exact words,[8]
showing His omniscience, and He gives His disciple a gentle rebuke.
As another aside, why does Jesus still bear these wounds? Unlike our future resurrection bodies, which
will be perfect (1 Cor. 15:42–44), Jesus retains His scars as proof of His
death and resurrection. As Charles
Spurgeon said, these wounds are “trophies of His love,” reminding us of His
sacrifice.
He invites Thomas to touch these wounds. Thomas can see now that this is no
hallucination or ghost in front of him.
Instead, this is the true, risen body of the Lord Jesus Christ. This realization comes crashing together in
his heart, leading to his spontaneous confession about Jesus in the next verse.
His is one of the
most profound declarations in Scripture: “My Lord and my God!” In Greek, his use of the definite articles
emphasize Jesus’s divine identity. Some
wonder if he (and John) intended to identify Jesus with “the Lord” and “the
God,” and that is exactly what we read here!
This isn’t just a cry of surprise from Thomas; it’s worship!
Thomas recognizes
Jesus as Yahweh — the God of the Old Testament — and as fully divine. Notably, Jesus doesn’t say, “Wait, Thomas,
you’re over-reacting! Don’t call Me Lord
and God!” Just the opposite; Jesus
accepts this, and even promises a blessing in the next verse.
Jesus responds,
“Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are those who did not see, and yet
believed.” Now, the Greek of the first
sentence here is probably a statement, not a question as it’s translated,[9]
affirming Thomas’s faith.[10]
Jesus isn’t scolding him; all the
disciples believed after seeing (v. 20).
Yet, Jesus makes a promise of blessing to those who believe without
seeing, a promise that includes you and me! [11]
Jesus’s grace to
Thomas shows He meets us in our doubts. He
doesn’t demand blind faith but provides evidence — His wounds, His presence. Today, He still gives some evidence — the
testimony of Scripture, the reliability of the Bible, etc. Yet, He calls us to faith that goes beyond
what we can see. I hope that you lean on
Jesus’s promises and trust in Him, even when life is uncertain and you can’t
see Him.
He invites you to believe.
That’s what we see in the final words here:
IV.
Third, Consider the Invitation to Believe (vv.
30–31)
Therefore many
other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are
not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe
that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life
in His name.
These verses are the purpose statement of the book, its
thesis. They wrap up the previous twenty
chapters, summarizing them with the most important takeaway points. This is a book about Jesus and who He is, and
it’s a book that wants you to believe.
This is the testimony that is given to us. John records here that Jesus performed many
other “signs” or “attesting miracles” to confirm His identity. However, he doesn’t record everything. He will say later, “And there are also many
other things which Jesus did, which if they were written in detail, I suppose
that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written”
(John 21:25). There is plenty more to be
said, but not enough material or time to record it until glory!
John isn’t inviting the future fan fiction found in the
Gnostic Gospels, the Quran, or in popular television shows! Rather, John is recording what’s necessary
for evidence. John explains why he
wrote: “But these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the
Christ, the Son of God.” The Greek word
here suggests the meaning “come to believe,” inviting new faith. Jesus is the Christ — the Messiah, the
Anointed One — and the Son of God, fully divine.
Faith here is in the Jesus of Scripture, then, not the one
of personal imagination. Some think of
Jesus as just a nice guy. Some think He
was a teacher, but nothing more. Some
think He was a bit more special, a prophet like Moses, but nothing more. Some think He was supernatural, but maybe a
phantom,[12] an
angel, or some lesser god. However, you
should come to believe in the Jesus who is God incarnate, the promised Messiah
who died for your sins.
John says that believing brings eternal life. This isn’t just living forever — it’s sharing in
God’s life now! This comes through
Christ’s name, through His authority and power.
John’s Gospel is an invitation to trust Jesus. Adults, maybe you needed to consider the
signs, teachings, and the resurrection in the Book of John, but these are
enough to decide to believe Jesus is God’s Son. Kids, when you hear Bible stories about Jesus,
they’re written to help you trust Him. Let’s
all accept this invitation to believe and find life in His name — you don’t
need more proof than you have right now.
V.
Conclusion
Church, this text challenges us to believe even without
seeing! Thomas refused to trust until he
saw Jesus, but the Lord met him with grace, granting belief. Yet, Jesus blessed those who believe without
sight, inviting us to trust Him through the testimony of Scripture.
Seek Him for grace if you are struggling to trust in Him
without seeing, for He promises to grant it.
Maybe when you feel alone, kids, you need to believe that He is near. Teenagers, this means believing God’s plan is
good, even when life’s confusing.
Adults, this means resting in Christ’s finished work, even when doubts
creep in to your mind. And everybody, as
John wrote, these signs are enough to believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of
God, and to find life in His name.
[1] A. T. Robertson, Word
Pictures in the New Testament, (Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1933), Jn
20:24.
[2] John F. MacArthur Jr., John 12–21, MacArthur New Testament Commentary, (Chicago, IL: Moody
Publishers, 2008), 384.
[3] Matthew Henry, Matthew
Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume,
(Peabody: Hendrickson, 1994), 2054.
[4] Ibid.
[5] Gerald L. Borchert, John 12–21, The New American Commentary, (Nashville: Broadman &
Holman Publishers, 2002), 25B:313.
[6] Henry, 2054.
[7] Ibid.
[8] Robertson, Jn 20:27.
[9] Ronald L. Trail, An
Exegetical Summary of John 10–21, Exegetical Summaries, (Dallas, TX: SIL
International, 2018), 460.
[10] Ibid., 461.
[11] John D. Barry, Douglas Mangum, Derek R. Brown, Michael
S. Heiser, Miles Custis, Elliot Ritzema, Matthew M. Whitehead, Michael R.
Grigoni, and David Bomar, Faithlife Study
Bible, (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016), Jn 20:29.
[12] Robertson, Jn 20:31.
