Sermon 180

📖 Sermon 180 — John 20:24–29

Date: Not given (Easter sermon)
Text: John 20:24–29
Preacher: G. S. Kok
Subject: The Proof Unbelief Demands

INTRODUCTION

This is Easter, and there are many who are unbelieving, who demand scientific proof before they will believe. They insist that unless their senses can verify the resurrection, they will not accept it as true.

I. THOMAS’ UNBELIEF

Thomas, one of the twelve — one who loved Jesus, one who preferred to be with Him — disbelieved the testimony of the faithful witnesses. He did not accept the report. Because of his unbelief he missed Easter blessings. He was not with them when Jesus came. Unbelief always misses blessings.
His doubt was not mild hesitation; it was complete unbelief.

1. The kind of proof he demanded shows more than doubt — it reveals full refusal to believe. He was absolutely convinced that Jesus was dead and that the resurrection reports were nonsense. There was no doubt left in his mind — only unbelief.
2. He wanted more than to see Jesus. The disciples said they had seen Him, but that meant nothing to Thomas. Seeing Him would not do.
3. He demanded to lay his finger into the nail prints of Jesus’ hands and to put his hand into His wounded side. He would never have dared say this if he had any hope that Jesus was alive.

Many today belong in Thomas’ class.

1. They have made up their minds that Jesus did not rise.
2. They demand scientific proof — meaning their terms, their conditions, not God’s.
   They want to see, they want to feel — sight and touch.

II. JESUS GRANTS THOMAS’ REQUEST

1. Jesus knew what His disciple had said.
2. He let Thomas wait one whole week.
3. He appeared again, in the presence of those before whom Thomas had made his demand.

Jesus commands Thomas:
Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side; be not faithless, but believing.
Would Thomas dare refuse?
Would he dare to touch?
How deeply ashamed he must have been. How humbled.

His response is beautiful:
My Lord and my God.
A sincere and complete confession.
All doubt removed.
Only those who truly believe the resurrection can make such a confession.
If Jesus did not rise, Thomas could never have said these words.
Thomas was no liberal, no modernist. He would have said such a confession is impossible if Jesus were still dead.

III. THE BLESSEDNESS OF THOSE WHO DO NOT REQUIRE PROOF

Thomas’ confession is true — but it lacks something.

1. Jesus shows it is tarnished. He does not praise Thomas.
2. How much more beautiful it would have been if he had believed the witnesses.
3. How much more joyful had he believed without seeing until the Lord, in His own time, revealed Himself.

Jesus pronounces a blessing:
Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
That is the faith we must have.

Those who demand visible proof will not be saved, for the Lord does not continue appearing bodily after the 40 days except to Paul for a special purpose.
If you reject the testimony of faithful witnesses —
If you reject the Word of God —
You cannot believe in the risen Christ.

But if you believe His resurrection without seeing, you may confess with Thomas:
My Lord and my God.

CONCLUSION

Some day all those demanding scientific proof will indeed see the bodily resurrection of Jesus — but then it will be too late.
Today He calls you to faith. Believe the witnesses, believe the Scriptures, and confess Him as your Lord and your God.