The Gospel of John: John 11.1-16

Read and meditate on John 11.16.
We can only wonder if Thomas’ expression of bravado represented the attitude of all the disciples. Perhaps. At any rate, they all went back to Judea with Jesus.

¹⁶Then Thomas, whom the others called the Twin,
said to the rest, “Let us go also, so
that we may die with Him.”

- John 11.16

Reflect
1.  Jesus had said, “Let us go…” Thomas used the same word (it’s one word in Greek) in responding, “Let us go…” adding also, or perhaps, then. Here we might have expected Peter to pipe up and lead the charge; instead, it’s Thomas. How would assess this response of Thomas? Can we give him some credit here? Explain. Complete this prayer: Lord, help me to say the same things You say, especially with respect to…

2.  Thomas understood that going back to Judea was dangerous, as did all the disciples (cf. v. 8). What shall we make of Thomas’ sense that going to Judea would mean that Jesus was going to be killed? Why did he think that would happen? Do you suppose he understood the full significance of Jesus’ being killed? Lord, You gave up Your life that we might live; help me to live fully in the life You have given me, so that…

3.  My take on Thomas’ response is that he probably meant what he said, at least intellectually, although I doubt he could have understood all the horror that was to ensue when they finally arrived in Jerusalem. But John thought it important to include this verse, so that Thomas would be on the record as encouraging all the other disciples to go with Jesus according to His Word. Why, in view of John 20.24-29, might John have thought it important to include Thomas’ response here? Lord, You have commanded us to encourage one another in doing good (Heb. 10.24). Today, help me to encourage…

4.  These 16 verses represent a “final descent” into the decisive period of Jesus’ life and work. They are filled with portent: What will happen when they get to “him” (v. 15)? What about all those people who want to kill Jesus (v. 8)? How will the disciples’ faith be affected (v. 15)? How will Jesus be glorified (v. 4)? Can Jesus indeed cause one to “wake” who has “fallen asleep” (v. 11)? Put yourself in the shoes of the disciples, as you hear Thomas saying, “Let us go then…” What are you feeling? How do you deal with that feeling, so that you get and go with Jesus and the others? Lord, whenever I fear following You in any way, help me to…

5.  Do you think the disciples would have crossed the Jordan into Judea if Jesus had not been with them? How did Jesus’ presence with them affect the disciples? How would you counsel a fellow believer to know the presence of the Lord whenever he might be afraid for any reason? Bring together into one your prayers from questions 1-4.

Summary
“There is audacity in Thomas’s words, but also timidity. It was the outflow of a devout heart, but it was mixed with a small faith. For he does not endure being left behind and even tries to persuade the others to adopt a similar resolution. Nevertheless, he thinks that they are destined to suffer [death] at the hands of the Jews, even against the will of Christ.… He neglects to look at the power of the Deliverer as he should have. And Christ made them timid, by enduring with patience beyond measure the sufferings he did experience at the hands of the Jews. Thomas therefore says that they should not separate themselves from their teacher, although undoubted danger lay before them. So, perhaps with a knowing smile, he said, ‘Let us go,’ that is, ‘Let us die.’ Or, maybe he meant, If we go, we certainly will die. Nevertheless, let us not refuse to suffer, for that would be too cowardly. Because if he raises from the dead, fear is superfluous seeing that we have someone who is able to raise us again after we have fallen.” Cyril of Alexandria (375-444 AD)

Following Jesus takes courage, but such courage is only possible when we remain with Jesus. He enables us to go beyond our fears into realms of obedience where all that matters is that our actions agree with what Jesus commands. How would you apply this to your daily walk with and work for the Lord?

Closing Prayer
I will extol You, my God, O King;
And I will bless Your name forever and ever.
Every day I will bless You,
And I will praise Your name forever and ever.
Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised;
And His greatness is unsearchable.
One generation shall praise Your works to another,
And shall declare Your mighty acts.
I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty,
And on Your wondrous works.
Men shall speak of the might of Your awesome acts,
And I will declare Your greatness.
They shall utter the memory of Your great goodness,
And shall sing of Your righteousness.
The LORD is gracious and full of compassion,
Slow to anger and great in mercy.
The LORD is good to all,
And His tender mercies are over all His works.
All Your works shall praise You, O LORD,
And Your saints shall bless You.
They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom,
And talk of Your power,
To make known to the sons of men His mighty acts,
And the glorious majesty of His kingdom.

Psalm 145.1-12

Psalm 145.1-12 (Brother James’ Air: The Lord’s My Shepherd, I’ll Not Want)
I will extol You, God, my King, and ever praise Your Name!
I bless You, Lord, for everything each day, and e’er the same!
Great are You, Lord, my praise I bring; unsearchable Your fame!

To ev’ry generation we Your wondrous works shall tell.
The splendor of Your majesty we contemplate full well.
We speak of all Your mighty deeds and all Your greatness tell!

Then shall we all the glorious fame of Your great goodness sing –
Your righteousness, Your gracious Name, Your mercy: Praise we bring!
Your steadfast love remains the same, mercy our covering.

Your works shall thank You; all Your saints shall bless and praise You, Lord!
Your works You do so faithfully, according to Your Word.
The falling You uphold and the oppressed You rescue, Lord!
           
T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series IV a and b: John, edited by Joel C. Elowsky, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006. Verse translation of John by T. M. Moore.