This is Us
Pastor Joey Ling
Scripture: John 20:24-29 NLT


One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came. They told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.” Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!”
“My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed.
Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”
—John 20:24-29 NLT

Context of John 20:24-29:

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What does Jesus’ Response Tell Us?

1. Jesus welcomes our doubts and questions

We think of faith and doubt as opposites. But that’s not really true. Faith and apathy are more opposite than faith and doubt. But doubt is often a key part of the journey of faith. It’s a stop along the way that most of us make more than once. And when we find ourselves there, it’s not an indication of us being bad Christians or disbelievers. It’s a sign that we are taking our relationship with God seriously enough that we are letting ourselves be honest, and we are letting ourselves start a journey without knowing exactly sure where we are going.
—Emily Heath

2. Jesus is patient and gracious

3. The greatest evidence that God loves us lies in the cross

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Takeaways & Application

1. Pray for God’s Help
• Help my unbelief
2. Walk together and encourage on another
3. God uses our trauma to help us grow