Teen Life Application Study Bible - Gospel of John - Flipbook - Page 33
JOHN 21
1176
12
“Now come and have some breakfast!”
Jesus said. None of the disciples dared to ask
him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the
Lord. 13Then Jesus served them the bread and
the fish. 14This was the third time Jesus had
appeared to his disciples since he had been
raised from the dead.
15
After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter,
“Simon son of John, do you love me more than
these?*”
“Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love
you.”
“Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.
16
Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of
John, do you love me?”
“Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love
you.”
“Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.
17
A third time he asked him, “Simon son of
John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question
THOMAS
a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.
18
“I tell you the truth, when you were young,
you were able to do as you liked; you dressed
yourself and went wherever you wanted to go.
But when you are old, you will stretch out your
hands, and others* will dress you and take
you where you don’t want to go.” 19Jesus said
this to let him know by what kind of death he
would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.”
20
Peter turned around and saw behind them
the disciple Jesus loved—the one who had
leaned over to Jesus during supper and asked,
“Lord, who will betray you?” 21Peter asked
Jesus, “What about him, Lord?”
22
Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain
alive until I return, what is that to you? As for
21:15 Or more than these others do? 21:18 Some manuscripts read
and another one.
PERSONALITY PROFILE
WHAT ARE YOU KNOWN FOR? Being cool? Being a troublemaker? Inspiring
others? Throughout the ages, Thomas mainly has been known for doubting the
resurrection of Jesus. Yet Thomas expressed doubt because he really wanted to
know the truth. He didn’t hang on to his doubts but humbly believed when they
were answered. Expressing doubts is a good way to clarify the truth.
Although the Bible doesn’t tell us much about Thomas, the brief glimpses of
his life are consistent. He tried hard to be faithful to what he knew, even though
faithfulness seemed costly. For example, when it was clear to everyone that
Jesus’ life would be in danger if he went to Jerusalem, only Thomas put into words
what the other disciples probably felt: “Let’s go, too—and die with Jesus” (John
11:16). But even though he expressed this fear, he didn’t hesitate to follow Jesus.
We don’t know why Thomas was missing the first time Jesus appeared to
the disciples after the Resurrection (see John 20:19-24). Whatever the reason,
Thomas was reluctant to believe that Jesus was alive (20:25). Even 10 friends
couldn’t change his mind! But Jesus’ appearance soon changed his doubts to
belief (20:28-29).
We can doubt without living a doubting way of life. Doubts help us clarify
what we believe. They also encourage us to ask good questions, seek answers,
and push for decisions. But doubt was never meant to be a permanent condition. Doubt is one foot lifted, poised to step forward or back. There is no motion
until the foot comes down.
When you experience doubt, take encouragement from Thomas. He didn’t
remain doubtful. Instead, he allowed Jesus to help him toward belief. Take
encouragement also from the fact that countless other followers of Christ have
struggled with doubts. The answers God gave them may be of great help. Don’t
settle into doubt—move beyond it to decision and belief.
BOTTOM LINE: Jesus doesn’t condemn doubts that are honest and directed
toward belief.
Doubting out loud is better than disbelieving in silence.
Thomas’s story is told in the Gospels. He also is mentioned in Acts 1:13.
UPS:
• One of Jesus’ 12 disciples
• Intense, both in doubt and
belief
• Was a loyal and honest
man
DOWNS:
• Along with the others,
abandoned Jesus after his
arrest
• Refused to believe the
others’ claims to have
seen the risen Jesus
• Struggled with a
pessimistic outlook
STATS:
• Where: Galilee, Judea,
Samaria
• Occupation: Disciple
of Jesus
• Contemporaries: Jesus,
other disciples, Herod,
Pilate
KEY VERSES: John 20:27-28
