"When Doubt Meets Grace"
"When Doubt Meets Grace"
Message by Pastor Emeritus Steve Wagner
Message by Pastor Emeritus Steve Wagner
Thomas refuses to pretend faith he does not yet have. Jesus meets him without shame and invites him to see and touch the wounds that tell the whole story. Doubt is not brushed aside, but met with grace and truth. In that encounter, skepticism gives way to one of Scripture’s strongest confessions, reminding us that faith grows when our questions are brought to Jesus, not hidden from Him.
Thomas refuses to pretend faith he does not yet have. Jesus meets him without shame and invites him to see and touch the wounds that tell the whole story. Doubt is not brushed aside, but met with grace and truth. In that encounter, skepticism gives way to one of Scripture’s strongest confessions, reminding us that faith grows when our questions are brought to Jesus, not hidden from Him.
Scripture: John 20:24–29
Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.” A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Scripture: John 20:24–29
Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.” A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
