Daily Bible Devotionals

“But one of the twelve, Thomas (called ‘Twin’), was not with them when Jesus came.  So the other disciples kept telling him, ‘We have seen the Lord!’  But he said to them, ‘If I don’t see the mark of the nails in His hands, put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will never believe!’”  John 20:24-25 (HCSB)

Like most people, I hope my faithfulness to the Lord would be compared to the Bible’s faithful giants like Paul, Daniel, Joshua, or Joseph.  Sadly, I feel more akin to guys like Thomas.  More often than not, I have to see things to believe them.

Personally, I feel “Doubting Thomas” has gotten a bad rap over the years.  It helps to know the other disciples didn’t have much more faith than Thomas.  They each had to see to believe, as well.  None of them took the women’s (the ones who had seen the empty tomb) testimony at face value.  

Earlier in Chapter 20, John testifies concerning his lack of faith and understanding and that of the others.  Seeing was believing, even for John.

“Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed.  For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead.”  John 20: 8-9 (NKJV - emphasis mine)

Jesus had already appeared to the ten other disciples (Judas had hung himself) and shown them His scars on the 1st day of the week.  Thomas was the LAST to “see & believe.”  He didn’t see Jesus until the 8th day.

“In the evening of the first day, the disciples were gathered together with the doors locked because of their fear of the Jews.  Then Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace to you [Shalom]!’  Having said this, He showed them His hands and side.  So the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.”  John 20:19-20 (HCSB)

In my opinion, Thomas’s statement was not blatant unbelief…no more unbelief than the others had displayed.  I believe Thomas’s statement had more to do with his frustration that he had been absent when Jesus first appeared to the others.  Thomas wanted the Lord to reveal Himself, precisely as He had done to the others.  He didn’t want to miss out.  Jesus granted Thomas’ longing for personal interaction, as He will for you.

God knows men will not believe in Him simply because they experience an overwhelming number of miraculous signs.  That is why not every single miracle that Jesus performed is recorded.  The impact of miracles fades over time.  Doubt sets in.  

Still, God knows some men will not believe in Him UNLESS they experience a sign.  John 20: 30-31 Perhaps, the most convincing sign unbelievers need to see is the gospel preached, accompanied by the “miracle” of your transformed life.

“Then Pilate took Jesus and had Him flogged.  The soldiers also twisted together a crown of thorns, put it on His head, and put a purple robe around Him.  And they repeatedly came up to Him and said, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ and they were slapping His face.  Pilate went outside again and said to them, ‘Look, I’m bringing Him outside to you to let you know I find no grounds for charging Him.’ Then Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe.  Pilate said to them, ‘Behold the man!’ When the chief priests and the temple police saw Him, they shouted, ‘Crucify!  Crucify!’ Pilate responded, ‘Take Him and crucify Him yourselves, for I find no grounds for charging Him.’” John 19:1-6 (HCSB)

It’s interesting how Pilate defended Jesus three times, then recanted.  At the same time, Peter denied Jesus three times, then repented.  How you ran the race is not always as important as how you finished it.

Pilate’s defense of Jesus came from three of His most trusted sources: His law (John 18: 38), his wife  (Matthew 27: 19), and his own religious omens (today’s passage).

If you visit Jerusalem, you have probably seen the “scourging floor.”  This is the spot where the Romans scourged their prisoners, many of whom were eventually crucified.  This is most likely the place where Jesus was scourged, as well.

As you can see in the photo, etchings in the stone scourging floor and its adjacent stone wall depict a torturous game the Romans played called “The King’s Game.” This was a game of death and mocking.  In this game, the “player” would move through various brutal stages with hopes of gaining all the vestments of a king.  It involved the casting of lots and was nearly impossible to complete.  If the player made it through the game, he earned his life.

It is crucial to consider The King’s Game when we read the story of Jesus’ trial.  If, indeed, the soldiers ran Jesus through this torturous game, then by all evidence & twisted Roman honor, Jesus won the game.  I say this because He appeared wearing all the “vestments” one must accumulate to win freedom.  It also explains why Pilate used this moment for one last attempt to defend the Lord.

Eventually, Pilate caved, and Jesus was crucified.  God’s Spirit used every angle to dissuade Pilate from crucifying Jesus, but he rejected the Spirit’s testimony.  Peter, on the other hand, eventually listened to God’s Spirit after having committed a great blasphemy: denying Jesus.  Peter humbled himself, repented, and became a passionate preacher of the Gospel.  Peter accepted the Spirit’s testimony and found forgiveness.  After all, to defend Jesus, Pilate blasphemed the Spirit by refusing to accept to its testimony.  

“He who is not with Me, is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.  Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven men.” Matt 12:30-31 (NKJV)

“So Pilate told them, ‘Take Him yourselves and judge Him according to your law.’  ‘It’s not legal for us to put anyone to death,’ the Judeans declared.  They said this so that Jesus’ words might be fulfilled signifying what sort of death He was going to die.  Then Pilate went back into the headquarters, summoned Jesus, and said to Him, ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’  Jesus answered, ‘Are you asking this on your own, or have others told you about Me?’  ‘I’m not a Jew, am I?’ Pilate replied.”  John 18:31-35a (HCSB)  

There was a time when a Gentile’s following of Jesus was tantamount to converting to Judaism.  The idea of “Messiah” was a purely Jewish thing.  Understanding who Jesus was and the importance of His ministry required specific knowledge of God’s Word, which could only be obtained through a close affiliation with Jews.  

Perhaps, no one understood that idea more than the guy who presided over the trial of Jesus.  This concept was not just the opinion of an ignorant Roman Governor.  The question, “What do we do with Gentile believers?” is, perhaps, the most hotly debated issue in the New Testament.  

Strange how the modern Church has mostly lost a Hebraic understanding of the Scriptures.  Given its almost exclusively Hebrew beginnings, perhaps, the most glaringly obvious question in the Church today should be, “Why are there so few Jews in the pews?”

There are two kinds of people who read the Bible, looking for information about Jesus:  Those who seek Him plainly, and those who seek Him vainly.  

The first type finds Jesus.  “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.  And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’”  John 8:31-32 (NKJV)

The second type can’t find Jesus because they’re not seeking the truth.  They are looking for loopholes, so they won’t have to believe in Him.  Pilate was looking for loopholes and enough information to strike a political compromise.  Instead of a platform of conviction, Pilate chose fear, for the roots of compromise are fear and weakness.

Matthew’s Gospel testifies that Pilate’s wife warned him against convicting Jesus.  Matthew 27:19 But, as is the case with all people, when confronted with the facts of the Gospel, the kingship of Jesus was ultimately a personal decision for Pilate to accept or reject.  Sadly, Pilate wasn’t looking for truth.  He didn’t know what truth was.  Jesus is the Word of God, made flesh.  Apart from God’s Word, there is no spiritual truth.  By rejecting Jesus’ personal testimony, Pilate rejected the authority of God’s Word.

“‘You are saying that I’m a king,’ Jesus replied.  ‘I was born for this, and I have come into the World for this: to testify to the truth.  Everyone who is of the truth listens to My voice.’ ‘What is truth?’ said Pilate.”  John 18:37b-38a (HCSB)

Grab your Bible & experience the Groundworks Ministries Podcast as Steve Wiggins leads us through the full chapter of John 17. Click the links below to watch or listen.

“It is for your benefit that I go away, because if I don’t go away the Counselor will not come to you.  If I go, I will send Him to you.  When He comes, He will convict the world about sin, righteousness, and judgment: about sin, because they do not believe in Me; about righteousness because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see Me; and about judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.  I still have many things to tell you, but you can’t bear them now.  When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth.” John 16:7b-13a (HCSB)

There are practical reasons why Messiah would take on flesh and dwell among us as a man.  To take mankind’s sin upon Himself, He chose to suffer in a man’s flesh.  To demonstrate that God’s Spirit was willing to inhabit and work through fleshly man, Jesus came as a man.  Jesus also chose to come as a man so that He might develop personal human relationships.  He was fully God yet fully man.

That being said, there was one limitation to Jesus in the flesh:  He could only be in one place at a time.

As important as the healing, teaching, and atoning work of Jesus was His return to Heaven, a.k.a., His Resurrection.  Jesus’ resurrection proved that His sacrifice pleased God.  It also communicated that, given we have a saving relationship with Jesus, God would be willing to raise us up as well.

The resurrection also made practical earthly ministry sense.  If Jesus “in the flesh” could only be in one place at-a-time, the gift of His Spirit would enable Jesus to be wherever a believer was.  The power of God’s Spirit, working through individual “surrendered” followers in accordance with Jesus’ Name and multiplied by thousands, was the growth catalyst for the early Church.

Jesus even told His disciples that they would accomplish more than Him.

“I assure you: The one who believes in Me will also do the works that I do.  And he will do even greater works than these, because I am going to the Father.  Whatever you ask in My name, I will do it so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.” John 14:12-14 (HCSB)

The effectiveness of the Church draws from the ever-present power of the Spirit, acting in accordance with the Father’s will, to spread the Good News of Messiah Jesus.

Jesus ministered on earth for three short years and then ascended to the Father’s right hand.  He was One Man, serving one place at-a-time.  Today, the greater body of believers is millions-strong!  Imagine what we could do if we were equipped in His Word, empowered by His Spirit, and desired to work together!

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vineyard keeper.  Every branch in Me that does not produce fruit He removes, and He prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit.  You are already clean because of the Word I have spoken to you.  Remain in Me, and I in you.  Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me.”  John 15:1-4 (HCSB)

In the Bible, both Israel and Jesus are described as “the vine.”  The references are too extensive to list here, but a few are: Psalm 80:8-16, Hosea 10:1, Isaiah 5:1-7, Mt 21:33-43, Rom 9:6-8

In today’s passage, Jesus informs us that Israel is not a “vine unto itself.”  Rather, He is the true Vine.  Some would say that statement is blasphemous because the vine of Israel drew its nourishment and produced its fruit from God.  That thinking rejects the deity of Messiah.  It is ignorant of Micah 5:2, Isaiah 9:6, and especially John1:1-5;14, which states that Jesus created everything.

Therefore, Israel, not being a vine unto itself, has always been subject to the vineyard Owner’s desire to prune or remove its branches from the greater Vine.  

At times in Jesus’ earthly ministry, there were hundreds, even thousands, of disciples.  Jesus communicated that to be saved, our intellectual belief in Him must be accompanied by a faith that leads to obedience.  Furthermore, our obedience, empowered by His Spirit, will produce fruit.  A sign of our salvation is the fruit (Growth, the signs of His in-working in our lives) we bear in His Kingdom.  

The Lord would never give us a command that was impossible to accomplish.  Bearing true spiritual fruit is impossible by human means, but we can do all things through Messiah who strengthens us!  (Philippians 4:13)

Branches that do not bear fruit have a disconnect from the life-giving vine.  It is up to the vine Keeper to determine whether the branch is dead and should be removed or if it simply needs pruning and thus should abide in the vine but with restorative care.

Even the branches that bear fruit need “pruning” to remain healthy.  That is to say, don’t be satisfied with your present level of fruit production!  It will be seasonal.  Believers should not be proud.  When we are connected to the Vine, our ability to bear fruit comes solely from the Vine.  Our seasons of “fruit production” are managed by the Vine Keeper.

God is always inspecting us “branches,” looking for those un-surrendered areas that may hinder our ability to produce fruit for His Kingdom.  If your obedience to the Lord is matched with a level of pain, perhaps He is pruning you.  He may be building up your faith by placing you into situations where you must be faithful, thus raising your ability to bear fruit for Him.

“‘If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.  And where I go you know, and the way you know.’  Thomas said to Him, ‘Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?’  Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” John 14:3-6 (NKJV)

Jesus had already told His disciples what He was about to undergo in Jerusalem, yet they either did not understand, did not believe, or were in denial.  Of course, Thomas was the disciple famous for doubting Jesus’ resurrection, earning him the name, ‘Doubting Thomas”.

The problem with Thomas was that he focused on “Religion” instead of “Relationship.” Thomas was so quick to learn how to get to Heaven that he didn’t listen when Jesus promised to return and personally take His disciples home.

You don’t need to know the way to a location as long as someone else takes you there.  You simply need to trust the guide and follow.  Likewise, we don’t need to know the way to Heaven.  We need to know Jesus!  Jesus knows the way to Heaven because He came from there.

“No one has ascended into heaven except the One who descended from heaven: the Son of Man.” John 3:13 (HCSB)

Not only does Jesus know the “route” to Heaven, but He, Himself, is the ONLY way!

“And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”  Acts 4:12 (NASB)

Frequently, people say they believe Jesus was a great teacher but that He is not the only way to Heaven.  Perhaps, those people should listen to His testimony about Himself.  In His own words, Jesus states that salvation comes exclusively through Him.

Jesus doesn’t say He is a way, a truth, or a life.  He says He is THE way, THE truth, and THE life.

Salvation comes exclusively through Jesus, yet it is offered liberally to ALL who would, by faith, turn from their sin and believe.

I hope this news doesn’t offend you.  It truly encouraged me on the day I chose to follow Jesus, and it continues to encourage me today.  Jesus’ claim to Lordship, and His promise to never leave or forsake me, allowed me to stop shopping around for salvation.  You don’t have to figure out the way to Heaven.  You simply need to trust that Jesus IS the way, turn from your sin, and choose to follow Him.

“When Jesus had said this, He was troubled in His spirit and testified, ‘I assure you: One of you will betray Me!’  The disciples started looking at one another – uncertain which one He was speaking about.  One of His disciples, the one Jesus loved, was reclining close to Jesus.  Simon Peter motioned to him to find out who it was He was talking about.  So he leaned back against Jesus and asked Him, ‘Lord, who is it?’  Jesus replied, ‘He’s the one I give the piece of bread to after I have dipped it.’  When He had dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas, Simon Iscariot’s son.  After Judas ate the bread, Satan entered him.”  John 13:21-27a (HCSB)

Traditional Christian assumption concerning the last supper is that the only elements involved were wine & unleavened bread.  In actuality, Jesus and His disciples were observing the Passover Seder.  The Seder is a whole meal that utilizes many symbolic elements to recount Israel’s slavery in Egypt, God’s deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage, and His provision for them during the Hebrews’ 40 years of desert wandering.

There is no Biblical evidence that when Jesus singled out 2 of the Seder’s elements, the bread and wine, He replaced the Seder.  He was simply clarifying what the two elements represented within the meal so that when the Seder was observed in the future, His followers would understand and worship Him correctly.  

Without knowledge of the Seder and its elements, many Christians believe Jesus dipped his bread into the wine and gave it to Judas.  As a matter of fact, some churches go as far as serving communion by dipping bread into wine.  The problem with that notion is that matzo (unleavened bread) is not dipped into the wine at the Seder.

Only two of the elements in the Seder are used for “sopping” or dipping matzo in Charoset (a sweet “paste” made with fruit, nuts, spices, and wine) and Maror (a bitter “paste” made from horseradish root).

The Charoset symbolizes the mortar (for bricklaying) the enslaved Israelites made in Egypt.  The Maror symbolizes the bitterness of slavery.

When Jesus dipped the bread, He most likely followed the tradition of scooping Charoset and Maror onto His Matzo, combined with lamb.  This would symbolize the bondage Jesus was about to undergo (as a result of Judas’ betrayal) and His bitter suffering for the sin of the World.  In essence, Jesus shared the gospel with Judas in a sandwich.

Today’s passage, and the events thereof, were predicted by the Psalmist hundreds of years before the “Last Seder.”  

“Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.  But You, O Lord, be gracious to me and raise me up, that I may repay them.”  Psalm 41:9-10 (NASB)

“This is why they were unable to believe, because Isaiah also said: He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so that they would not see with their eyes or understand with their hearts and be converted.  Isaiah said this because he saw His glory and spoke about Him.  Nevertheless, many did believe in Him, even among the rulers, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, so they would not be banned from the synagogue.  For they loved the praise from men more than praise from God.”  John 12:39-43 (HCSB)

Perhaps, the worst kind of blindness is when people refuse to see.  God offers everyone the ability to “believe” or “trust” in Him.  But if people continue to reject Him, belief may eventually become impossible for them.  

In today’s passage, John states that God blinded the eyes & hardened the hearts of those who resisted Jesus.  It is the same language we find in the book of Exodus, where it says God “hardened” Pharaoh’s heart.  But a closer inspection of the Exodus narrative reveals that, in actuality, Pharaoh hardened his own heart through a pattern of refusal to acknowledge the overwhelming evidence that the God of Israel is “the Lord.”

The same sun that softens the wax also hardens the clay.  After a series of Egyptian “signs/plagues,” not only was Israel convinced that their God was delivering them, but many in Pharaoh’s court tried to convince him to surrender to the Lord.  Eventually, God honored Pharaoh’s choice (not to believe) by refusing to reveal the truth to him any longer, except for the final “revelation,” which was the literal destruction of Pharaoh and his army!  God’s eternal judgment is the tragic end of all people who refuse to believe in Messiah.  But what about those who “believe” but refuse to go public?  

Contrary to the opinions of some in the Church at large, believers in Jesus are not called to hide their faith but to profess it openly.  The Bible NEVER calls for people to be “secret believers” who refuse to profess their faith (some even deny their faith when the social/political pressure heats up).  There is a vast difference between “intellectual ascent” (the mere recognition of the facts of Jesus’ life events and teachings) and receiving Him as your Lord (submitting to His leading even when you feel uncomfortable).  The former may enable you to pass a Bible knowledge exam, but the latter is evidence of true salvation!  

Instead of fearing God and professing Jesus openly, some Pharisees chose to stay silent.  Essentially, the “secret believer” chooses to fear “men” instead of trusting God.

“But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.”  Matthew 10:33 (NKJV)

When we consistently refuse to acknowledge our faith, we must ask ourselves if we have true faith to share.  If loving God were against the law, would there be enough evidence in your life to convict you?