Preview 4/23/14: Believing is Seeing.

John 20:24-28
But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe." A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe."  Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!"
 

Theme:    Thomas the needs to see.

Main Points:

• After Jesus visits the disciples, Thomas hears about it second hand. 
• Thomas just cannot believe what he hears. 
• Jesus visits them a second time. 
• Thomas gets his doubts dispelled.
• Thomas believes.  

Contrary to popular belief...

Believing is seeing.  By this I mean that our beliefs color our perception of the world more than our senses do.  We tend to see what we believe we will see.  If we believe the worst of people we will find that folks deliver the worst.  If we believe that life is unfair, then we will no doubt find unfair things to gripe about.   What we believe shapes who we are, what we do, and how we do it.  

So, what do you believe?  And how is it shaping what you see?

Thomas needed to see Jesus.  But not to believe, he already believed.  The problem was Thomas believed Jesus was dead.  His belief shaped his vision. He could not see how transformed the other disciples were, he could not see how this fulfilled the prophesies, he could not see how the hope of the resurrection was bringing new life to his fellow apostles. He believed, so he could not see. 

Thomas needed to see so he could change his beliefs.

 

Questions:

1. What is do you believe about life?  About people?  About God?
2. How do you think this shapes your vision?
3. If Christ where to change your vision, what would you have him teach you to see about others?  About yourself?  About him? 
4. What do you think Christ's vision of us is?