1098. Some Experiences Thomas Enjoyed

Some Experiences Thomas Enjoyed

"No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon" (Luk_6:13).

Book reading may discover to us characteristics of the author; reputation may discover to us the world's estimate of a man; but close and intimate companionship will give us the only sure basis of valuation.

Thomas enjoyed the latter in his relationship to Christ. Thomas was one of the twelve. He had a most intimate fellowship with Christ.

There is a song our mothers used to sing to us:

"I think when I read that sweet story of old,

When Jesus was here among men,

How He called little children as lambs to His fold,

I would like to have been with Him then."

Thomas was with Him. Month after month He followed the Master.

1. He heard his claims. He knew that Jesus proclaimed God as His Father, and called Himself God's Son. He knew that Jesus Christ taught that He came down from Heaven; that He was virgin born; that He was one with the Father. He knew that the Lord claimed that He was the fulfillment of certain Old Testament prophecies! He knew that Christ laid claim to Diety in each of the seven passages which reveal Him as the great "I am."

"I am the Bread of Life" (Joh_6:48, Joh_6:51).

"I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life" (John

"I am the Resurrection, and the Life" (Joh_11:25).

"I am the Door" Joh_10:9).

"I am the Light of the world" (Joh_8:12).

"I am the True Vine" (Joh_15:1).

2. He had sat under His teachings. What gracious words proceeded from the lips of the Lord. On the mount when Christ sat down and taught His disciples the beatitudes and all of that wonderful message recorded in Matthew 5, Matthew 6 and Matthew 7, Thomas was there. In the upper room when Christ spoke those wonderful words, recorded in Joh_14:15 and Joh_14:16, Thomas was there. Many were the messages of instruction that Thomas had received from the lips of the Lord.

Thomas, doubtless, heard Christ's message to Nicodemus upon the new birth; he heard at least part of the conversation upon the "Living Water" as Christ spoke to the woman at Jacob's well; he heard the marvelous address upon the "Manna" as recorded in John 6.

Thomas also sat with the twelve on many occasions when Christ taught His disciples, in private.

He heard His seven parables, recorded in Matthew 13, and the private interpretation of some of them given only to the twelve; he heard the words concerning "Who would be greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven; He heard the explanation Christ gave the twelve as to His death and resurrection.

3. He had prayed with Him. It was here that the disciples saw the Deity of the Lord shine forth in its most resplendent glory. No wonder they said: "Lord, teach us to pray."

4. He had beheld many of Christ's greatest miracles. Me was with Him on the sea when the waves were hushed; he was with Him when the dead were raised; when the multitudes were fed; when the lame were healed; when the lepers were cured. Thomas had wonderful privileges in observing the mighty power of Christ in all of His miracles. They all bore a supreme testimony to His Deity, and they established His claims.

Think you that Thomas could behold the water turned into wine, without being moved? When Lazarus came forth, and was unbound from his grave clothes–how could Thomas do other than believe?

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR