LEARNING DAILY

John 20:25. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe."

Luke 6:15-16, Matthew and Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called the Zealot; Judas the son of James….

Thomas, “Doubting Thomas”, is best known for his words of doubt when told that Jesus had risen from the dead. He was also called Didymus meaning “the Twin”; Scripture does not tell us the name of his twin. Thomas was considered the pessimist of the group according to John MacArthur. When Jesus decided to go to Bethany – which was a place Jesus and the disciples risked being stoned – Thomas was the only one who spoke up and said if Jesus said everything would be okay (optimism) they should go with Him. But the pessimist side came out when he said, “If Jesus was going to die, he would die with Him. Thomas’ willingness to stay with Jesus despite the consequences is noteworthy for each person who follows Him! Even in this devotion to Jesus, Thomas had doubts as you can see from his reaction when told about the risen Christ. But these doubts were not the worldly questions and opposition to truth. He had a genuine desire to know truth. When told about Jesus his reaction was one of needing proof, to see and touch Him before he would believe. When Jesus appeared to the disciples again, He knew Thomas needed to believe and met his need. God is concerned about the doubts and fears of those who follow Him and uses them to strengthen their walk with Him; Jesus wants Believers to confess, "My Lord and my God!"  “It is believed that Thomas carried the Gospel as far as India…and tradition says he was run through with a spear” (MacArthur).

The Bible gives even less information about the disciple, James, Son of Alphaeus, who was also known as “The Less”. The Greek word for “Less” means “little” or perhaps someone young in age. Here it probably refers to his influence. MacArthur wrote, “James, “The Less” probably was small, young, quiet who stayed in the background. Apparently, he sought no recognition… displayed not great leadership…asked no critical questions…and demonstrated no unusual insight.” He evidently took the Gospel to Syria and Persia; accounts are not sure if he was stoned or beaten to death. There are other accounts that say he was crucified.

Another of the lesser-known disciples was Simon the Zealot. He had probably been a part of the political party known as the Zealots which was a feared outlaw group who hated the Romans. The Zealots were extreme in every sense and believed they were doing God’s will by assassinating Roman soldiers, political leaders, and anyone else who opposes them. MacArthur points out that Simon was paired with Matthew when the disciples were sent out two-by-two. Simon did become a true Believer and was changed! He took the Gospel to the British Isles; there is no record of how he died.

Judas, the Son of James was a disciple with three names. “Jerome referred to him as “Trinominous” – the man with three names…Matthew called him “Lebbaeus” (heart child) and Thaddaeus (breast child)…Judas was probably the name given at birth” (MacArthur). He was not the Judas that betrayed Jesus. Only one incident is recorded about this Judas in the Bible. John 14:21-22 says, “Whoever has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him." Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, "Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?" He was confused and wanted clarification about how Jesus would show Himself to the world. “Records say he took the Gospel north to Edessa… and was likely beaten to death with a club” (MacArthur).

Do you have a better understanding of the men Jesus chose to follow Him? Did you sense any of them being close to your personality? We will finish with Judas, the one who betrayed Jesus next week.