Show Me

A Series on the Milestones in Jesus’ Life

John 20

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2020&version=NIV;NLT

  

Missouri is the “show me state”! Legend has it that in 1899, Missouri's U.S. Congressman, Willard Duncan Vandiver, gave a speech at a naval banquet in Philadelphia where he declared, "I come from a state that raises corn and cotton and cockleburs and Democrats. Frothy eloquence neither convinces nor satisfies me. I am from Missouri. You have got to show me."

 

The disciples were the same way. When Jesus did miracles, the disciples were standing right there; watching. But they didn’t see Jesus reach the milestone when he rose from the dead. As a result, when they heard about it they said, “Show me”.

 

The women, after finding the empty tomb, told the disciples about their discovery. Instead of believing them, Peter and John ran to the tomb to see for themselves; as if to say, “Show me”.

 

The biggest doubter of all was Thomas. “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.” Again, show me!

 

Stubbornness and doubt are a part of human nature. People want to see for themselves before they believe. Jesus knew this would hold his disciples back. So he decided on a more direct approach.

 

Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” ²⁷ 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.”       NIV

²¹ Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” ²² And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.            NIV

 

Jesus sent his disciples in the power of the Holy Spirit. At this point, they didn’t respond anymore by saying, “Show me”. They just went.

 

How will you respond to the risen Christ? Will you say, “Show me”? Or will you say, “Here am I Lord. Send me”?

 

 

 

Struggles and Doubt

Jude 17-25

  

Have you ever experienced a time in your life when you struggled and were filled with doubts? Maybe it was a broken relationship; or your job was downsized; or a family member died suddenly or was diagnosed with a terminal illness. Life has a way of bringing struggles and doubts to all of us.

 

Mark tells the story of the man who asked Jesus to heal his son because his disciples weren’t able to. Both the disciples and the father doubted Jesus.

 

^21-22 “Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has this been going on?” “Ever since he was a little boy. Many times it pitches him into the fire or the river to do away with him. If you can do anything, do it. Have a heart and help us!” ²³ Jesus said, “If? There are no ‘ifs’ among believers. Anything can happen.” ²⁴ No sooner were the words out of his mouth than the father cried, “Then I believe. Help me with my doubts!”       MSG

 

We live in a culture that is filled with values and beliefs that are not Christian – pride,

materialism and lust to name a few. God has called us to live in this culture; not to conform to it, but to transform it. If we are not careful, we can adopt those same values and beliefs of the world around us.

 

In his letter, Jude is writing to Christians who are struggling and doubting because of some false teaching about grace and sin. 

 

^22 “Try to help those who argue against you. Be merciful to those who doubt. ²³ Save some by snatching them as from the very flames of hell itself. And as for others, help them to find the Lord by being kind to them, but be careful that you yourselves aren’t pulled along into their sins. Hate every trace of their sin while being merciful to them as sinners.”        TLB

 

Whatever struggles you face in life; whatever doubts you may have; God is always with you. God is always at work in your life to draw you closer to Him. God has given you grace so that you may share His grace and love with others.

 

 

 

^16 “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”         NIV

 

 

 

Here are some other pictures on this topic that you may enjoy.

 
 

Reaching for the Invisible God

Psalm 13

 

 

For over 30 years I loved watching Robin Williams. I loved him in “Mork and Mindy”, “Good Morning Viet Nam”, “Mrs. Doubtfire”, “Good Will Hunting”, “Awakening”… I could go on.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okkhgZim5Ig

When news of his death was announced, tears came to my eyes. He was a year younger than me. He had it all - success, fame, fortune - everything that the world has to offer. But it wasn’t enough, so he committed suicide.

 

How much longer will you forget me, Lord? Forever?
    How much longer will you hide yourself from me?
How long must I endure trouble?
    How long will sorrow fill my heart day and night?
    How long will my enemies triumph over me?           Psalm 13:1-2 GNT

 

Robin no doubt felt much like David did. You may have felt this way yourself. Was it because of a broken relationship? A lost job? The unexpected death of a loved one? Health problems? Depression? Struggling with an addiction? Sometimes, even when everything is going right, God just feels far away. Where is he?

 

Phillip Yancey wrote in Reaching for the Invisible God, “Doubt always coexists with faith, for in the presence of certainty who would need faith at all”. Who indeed? In one way or another, we are all reaching for the invisible God. Robin Williams was. David did. You and I are. But will we find Him?

 

Life happens, and when it does we need to keep moving forward towards God even when we feel like He is not there; even when we feel completely alone. And if we do, then we can pray like David did:

 

I rely on your constant love;
    I will be glad, because you will rescue me.
I will sing to you, O Lord,
    because you have been good to me.     Psalm 13:5-6 GNT

 

Amen.