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Bible Notes - Tabernacle Commentaries
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John 20:24
Comments
After the proof of fulfilment, the resurrection is a command to trust. Why was Thomas not with the other disciples? Why were there only ten there gathered (and perhaps others also unmentioned), but why only ten of the twelve? Of course Judas was gone now, but Thomas wasn’t there, so he missed the appearance of Christ. He missed the blessing and the giving of the Spirit and the wonderful assurance. Well the subsequent verses really give us the answer to that. He missed it because he was despondent and he was broken for the time being. Thomas is too despondent to worship and to gather together, and so he missed the greatest, most unimaginable blessing - an appearance of Christ and the bestowal of the Holy Spirit. He didn’t recall Christ’s words. Now Thomas wasn’t a weakling. In chapter 11 you find his great declaration – he will die for Christ. You can have strength and not much understanding and faith. You can have courage and not much understanding and faith. Your mind must be informed, you need the great doctrines.
Application
This can happen with us also. Christian people can be so foolish. ‘I felt bad so I didn’t come to church. I felt a little down in the dumps, I was depressed, I didn’t come to worship.’ The thing that God has conceived to lift you up, to draw you to himself! You owe him your worship. You must be under instruction from God’s Word. You must sing his praises. You must join with the people of God. The most foolish thing that any Christian can possibly do is to say, ‘I wasn’t up to it.’ (Unless of course there is a physical health problem.)
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