Pastor Joynt's Devotionals

Easter Hearts, Week 3, Day 4

JOHN 20:24-25 CONTINUED

1 CORINTHIANS 15

Thomas wants first-hand experience. Is this a legitimate demand?

First-person experience of Jesus is important. But it is not sufficient! We believe in Christ due to the eyewitness accounts of those who saw his deeds, observed his miracles, and who knew directly of his death and Resurrection. The first witnesses are primary and irreplaceable—without them our spiritual encounters with Jesus would have no context.

But the final verse in our chapter, John 20:31, indicates we should want first– and second-hand experience. We believe because of testimony, but we experience new life “in his name.” This new life includes being called, addressed, guided, forgiven, encouraged, constrained, and filled with love by Jesus.

Do you trust the first witnesses?

Do you feel you have “life in his name?”

FAMILY TIME—

Thank God for our first witnesses!

Easter Hearts, Week 3, Day 3

JOHN 20:25 | JOHN 14:1-6

Thomas had a penchant for honesty. Rather than suppressing his doubts or pretending, he had the courage to make known his doubts or to express his confusion. He was the student who would raise his hand and admit “I don’t get this!” See his comments in John 14 about Jesus’ departure. “Lord, we don’t know where you are going! How can we know the way!?”

Jesus never runs from doubts or questions. He knows that we must begin where we are in order to make progress. If we have doubts, we must begin to voice them, or they remain as hidden barriers to understanding and growth.

Are you comfortable raising hard questions?

Are you comfortable responding to them?

FAMILY TIME—

Do you have someone and somewhere you can ask if you have faith questions?

Who is it and where is it?