The Disciples – Thaddaeus
Judy Shrout • July 19, 2023
When I was teaching a Sunday School class of high school seniors, one of the girls had a questioning look; so, I asked if she had a question. She blurted out her question and then started apologizing. I told her not to apologize – that it was wonderful to have questions and ask them. She said she felt it was wrong to ask questions of God. When I told her few things delighted Him more than an inquiring mind seeking answers from the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, she seemed astonished and relieved.
Today’s disciple, Thaddaeus, also had a question. He received honorable mention when the Gospel writers listed the 12 apostles and in Acts when the disciples were praying in the upper room. In Mark he is called “Thaddaeus” – in Matthew he is called “Thaddaeus (Judas, not Iscariot)” – and in Luke and Acts he is called “Judas, the son of James” – also distinguishing him from Judas Iscariot.
But it’s in John 14, that he gets a speaking part. Jesus is giving the “Let not your hearts be troubled” talk to His disciples after His last supper with them. He is trying to prepare them for what is getting ready to happen. In the middle of about five chapters worth of Jesus’ message, we find this verse:
Judas (not Judas Iscariot, but the other disciple with that name) said to Him, “Lord, why are You going to reveal Yourself only to us and not to the world at large?”
(John 14:22)
What a great question! Jesus did not seem at all offended and went on to tell the disciples about the need to continue to practice obedience to His commands as evidence of their love for Him – perhaps implying that He didn’t reveal Himself to the world at large because obviously that world didn’t love Him and wouldn’t want to be obedient.
But there’s something else I’d like you to notice. A question like that also indicates that there was a special relationship between this Judas and His Lord – one where he felt it was ok to ask Jesus the question that troubled his heart. He was comfortable in his relationship with Jesus and in his awareness of Jesus’ love for him.
Are you comfortable in your relationship with Jesus and your awareness of His unconditional love for you – so comfortable that you can come to Him with your questions? Are you willing to ask Jesus the question troubling your heart? Will you wait with confidence for His answer? I believe He loves for us to come to Him with our questions – do you?
By Judy Shrout
REJECTION This week we’re in Luke 2:21-38, moving from Christmas into the New Year. Do you recall the anxiety that came with “picking teams” for sports or games in elementary school? Our son has a pitiful story about a time he wasn’t picked at all. The other kids chose up teams and just started playing while he was still standing there. It’s not that he wasn’t athletic enough; they just didn’t notice him. As adults we seldom play touch football, but we experience the same rejection. Maybe some nice people at your workplace socialize outside the office and you wish just once to be invited. Or maybe within your family, even if it’s a healthy and loving one, you just somehow don’t fit. It’s painful to be rejected, and painful to witness someone you love being rejected. Simeon came to the temple to see Jesus in person, praising God for His salvation, and amazing Joseph and Mary in the process. But Simeon’s visit was not all sunshine and roses, because he also delivered a harsh truth. Then Simeon blessed them and told His mother Mary: “Indeed, this child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be opposed - and a sword will pierce your own soul - that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” (Luke 2:34-35 HCSB) Jesus would face opposition, and it would pierce Mary’s soul. But what does it mean by “the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed?” A Bible commentary helped me understand it better. For some, Jesus is a stumbling stone that reveals our hearts’ imperfections: He will be a sanctuary; but for the two houses of Israel, He will be a stone to stumble over and a rock to trip over, and a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Many will stumble over these; they will fall and be broken; they will be snared and captured. (Isaiah 8:14-15 HCSB) But Jesus is supposed to be a cornerstone: Therefore the Lord God said: “Look, I have laid a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; the one who believes will be unshakable. (Isaiah 28:16 HCSB) Jesus’ divine perfection reveals my flaws, and I am sure to stumble and fall again before this day is through, but the foundational cornerstone will not be knocked aside by our failings. During Christmas season we adore and celebrate Him. This new year let’s not reject or overlook Him. Let’s stand on His foundation that won’t be shaken no matter what this year brings. By Mark Stuart Mark is the husband of Laura, father of Shelby and Jacob (Bailey), and grandfather of Charley.
WAIT. WHAT? This week we’re in Luke 2:21-38, moving from Christmas into the New Year. Have you ever heard a parent say something like this? “Our school had parent-teacher conferences this week. Mrs. Jones said that Johnny is well-behaved and quiet and never has to be told twice to do something. I just looked at her and said, ‘Wait, are we talking about the same kid? Do you have me confused with another parent? That’s not how he acts at home!’” I once had the opposite experience. I got a call from the school principal wanting to talk about something bad our son did. It was unexpected and shocking to me until the principal said something along the lines of, “as we discussed after the last incident…” Because there had been no prior incident, I politely interrupted him, explained my confusion, and asked for clarification. After a few awkward moments, we realized he had dialed the phone number one row above the one he intended to call - and because our son coincidentally had the same first name as the troublemaker, neither of us realized the mistake immediately. (The poor principal was mortified; I was relieved.) Parents know more about their kids than anybody else knows, so it can be a shock when others have different opinions about them. We expect others to think of our children the way we think about them. Luke chapter two tells of a man named Simeon who knew (from the Holy Spirit) of the Messiah’s coming, so he sought out the child Jesus and His family at the temple. Upon finding Him, he proclaimed to God that he had seen God’s salvation. His father and mother were amazed at what was being said about Him. (Luke 2:33 HCSB) Wait a second. Joseph and Mary were amazed at something being said about Jesus? Hadn’t they already experienced first-hand just how unique and special He was (and would be)? Why were they amazed by this? I think there is an involuntary emotional response when a stranger reinforces something we already know about our children. If somebody I’ve never met walks up and tells me they encountered my child somehow at school or church (or now in their workplaces) and found them delightful, I’m not amazed by the facts but might be amazed by how far and wide the facts have traveled. If Mary and Joseph can be amazed by hearing about Jesus, how much more so could my friends and family be amazed by what is said about Him? Or am I saying anything at all? By Mark Stuart Mark is the husband of Laura, father of Shelby and Jacob (Bailey), and grandfather of Charley.
NOW I CAN DIE IN PEACE This week we’re in Luke 2:21-38, moving from Christmas into the New Year. In 2004 the Boston Red Sox won their first World Series since 1918. In 2016 the Chicago Cubs won their first World Series since 1908. Stories abounded about older, lifelong, fans who had feared they might never see their beloved team win a title. They rejoiced that they got to see it happen, and some joked “Now I can die in peace!” (At least I think they were joking). Simeon was a righteous man in Jerusalem who had also been waiting expectantly for something, but he didn’t wonder if it would happen in his lifetime, because it had been promised. The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah. And here is how it happened: Guided by the Spirit, he entered the temple complex. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform for Him what was customary under the law, Simeon took Him up in his arms, praised God, and said, “Now, Master, You can dismiss Your slave in peace, as You promised. For my eyes have seen Your salvation.” (Luke 2:27-30 HCSB) What a remarkable moment. A faithful servant of God not only got to see the baby Jesus in person but knew who Jesus was and that He was the Messiah. He held Him in his arms and sincerely proclaimed, “Now I can die in peace.” The temptation is for us to flippantly respond by saying, “We should all be so lucky.” But luck has nothing to do with it. I see two challenges for us in this moment. First, Simeon was afforded this opportunity because he was righteous and devout. Second, he followed the Spirit’s guidance and went to the temple. God foretold many things to Joseph and Mary, but He never said, “There’s this cool old guy named Simeon. After you take Jesus to the temple, I need you to swing by his house because I promised him that in his lifetime, he’d see the Messiah.” That’s not how it worked. God’s plan for Simeon to receive the promised blessing required Simeon to not only listen to the Holy Spirit, but also to act. This Christmas season and new year let’s not make adoring Jesus a passive activity like looking at a Christmas tree or watching a favorite Christmas movie. Simeon took action to show his adoration. What actions should I take to demonstrate to others my adoration of Jesus? By Mark Stuart Mark is the husband of Laura, father of Shelby and Jacob (Bailey), and grandfather of Charley.
Hearing His Voice in the Year Ahead My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27 ASV) The glow of Christmas lights still lingers, and the joyful melodies of the season echo in our minds. We have celebrated the birth of our Savior – Immanuel, God with us. But now, as the wrapping paper settles and the pace of life begins to quiet, we are invited into a deeper, quieter posture: listening. The noise of the world can make it easy to overlook the gentle voice of God. Yet Jesus Himself declared, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27 ASV). The celebration of His coming is not meant to end at the manger. It continues as we learn to recognize His voice and respond with obedience. As we stand just days from a new year, God is not calling us into busyness – He is calling us into awareness. Into attentiveness. Into a readiness to hear Him in Scripture, in prayer, in quiet moments, and even in ordinary rhythms of life. Elijah discovered that God’s voice was not in the wind, earthquake, or fire – but in the gentle whisper (1 Kings 19:11-13). That same whisper calls us today. It cuts through distractions, pride, fear, and the noise of our own ambitions and resolutions. It invites us to surrender our plans and trust His. Listening begins with positioning ourselves before Him. “Speak Lord, for your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:9-10 NLT) is not just Samuel’s posture – it is ours for the coming year. When we listen, God gives direction. When we obey, He provides grace. When we follow, He leads us into His purpose. As you prepare to step into 2026, take these next few days to settle your spirit and tune your heart. Let the quiet after Christmas become the space where God begins to shape your path. What noise or distraction do you need to lay down so you can hear God’s voice more clearly in the coming year? By George Donkor George and his wife, Christiana, are proud parents of Annajoy and Elijah. They love serving Jesus together and showing Him to the world around them.
Whadya’ Get? It won’t be long now before most of us will be asked, “Whadya’ get for Christmas? Did you get everything on your list?” Then, we will list our gifts and perhaps share our opinions on them. Gifts are synonymous with Christmas. They have been since the beginning. In Mary’s song found in Luke’s Gospel, she shares, “The Mighty One has done great things for me, and his name is holy” (Luke 1:49). God has also done great things for us as well. As we reflect post-Christmas on our gifts, let’s also reflect on the great things God has done for us: Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1:17) Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” (Isaiah 30:21) But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8) He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. (Psalm 40:2) You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy. (Psalm 30:11) If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! (Matthew 7:11) God has done great things for us. The next time someone asks you,“Whadya’ get?” think about the great things God has done. By LaRaine Rice LaRaine is the wife of Jeff and mother of Christopher and Elizabeth. She teaches the sixth-grade girls on Sunday morning.
Christmas is for Children “Christmas is for children.” Maybe you’ve heard someone share that sentiment or that exact phrase. There’s an excitement that children bring to Christmas that adults just don’t always bring. Maybe it’s a visit from SC. Maybe it’s receiving toys and gifts from parents and families. Maybe it’s special foods, lights or being together. Children love Christmas in a way that is infectious. There is something about a child’s point of view that makes the day special. Jesus loved children and their point of view. And He wanted all of His followers to be like children. Consider the time that “Jesus called a little child over to him. He had the child stand among them. Jesus said, ‘What I’m about to tell you is true. You need to change and become like little children. If you don’t, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Anyone who takes the humble position of this child is the most important in the kingdom of heaven.’” (Matthew 18:2-4, NIRV) Children rely on others for everything, not just on Christmas Day. They take delight in small things such as Christmas lights. Jesus wants His followers to humbly rely on Him. He wants us to take delight in Him. He wants us to remember who He is and who we are in relation to Him. Today, celebrate Jesus like a child. Remember Him. Thank Him. Find joy in Him. Christmas is for children… of all ages! By LaRaine Rice LaRaine is the wife of Jeff and mother of Christopher and Elizabeth. She teaches the sixth-grade girls on Sunday morning.
Hopeful Waiting Christmas Eve seems just as magical as Christmas Day, particularly in the evening. It’s as if anything is possible and the world is awash with hope as we await the next day. The very first Christmas Eve had a different effect. True, Mary and Joseph knew what was to come or, should I say, Who was to come. But that night, Mary was very uncomfortable and Joseph was looking for a place to stay. The shepherds were bored in the field. The wisemen were watching the heavens for a sign, any sign. And the people of Israel had no idea if the Messiah would ever come. For everyone except Mary and Joseph, it was an ordinary day. No one else knew what God had planned. No one knew that the next day, His promises would be fulfilled in the birth of Jesus. Today, as you wait for Christmas, remember that God is always at work even when we don’t know it. God may seem slow or our prayers are going unanswered. That is not the case. “Dear friends, here is one thing you must not forget. With the Lord a day is like a thousand years. And a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow to keep his promise. He is not slow in the way some people understand it. Instead, he is patient with you. He doesn’t want anyone to be destroyed. Instead, he wants all people to turn away from their sins.” (2 Peter 3:8-9, NIRV) You see, not only does God fulfill His promises, He fulfills them at just the right time. When we fully trust in God, we know that anything is possible and we can be awash with hope as we await the fulfillment of God’s will. Trust. Hope. Watch. By LaRaine Rice LaRaine is the wife of Jeff and mother of Christopher and Elizabeth. She teaches the sixth-grade girls on Sunday morning.
Magnify “And Mary said: ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, because he has looked with favor on the humble condition of his servant.’” (Luke 1:46-48) Were she here today, she might invite us to “magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!” (Psalm 34:3) Today, therefore, magnify and exalt the Lord. Rejoice in God your Savior as you read these truths: “God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” (Numbers 23:19) “Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.” (Deuteronomy 7:9) “Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.” (Jeremiah 32:17) “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!” (Romans 11:33) “Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.” (Psalm 115:3) “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” (Isaiah 6:3) By LaRaine Rice LaRaine is the wife of Jeff and mother of Christopher and Elizabeth. She teaches the sixth-grade girls on Sunday morning.
Blessed “Blessed” is a word people use to describe themselves. You may see it on sweatshirts, pillows or signs (especially in the fall). Its use is popular because most of us realize that we have been given much. Elizabeth used the word blessed to describe Mary upon Mary’s arrival at her house. Mary was not only blessed because she would be the mother of the Messiah or because her child would be blessed. Mary was also blessed for believing “that the Lord would fulfill what he has spoken to her!” (Luke 1:45) Mary believed in God’s promise, and she was blessed for it. She believed, like Abraham, even when it didn’t make sense. “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him for righteousness. . . Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be.’ Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. This is why ‘it was credited to him as righteousness.’” (Romans 4:3,18-22) When Abraham and Mary faced uncertainty, like we all do, they believed in God’s promise to them. Perhaps you think that God has not given you a promise like He did with Mary and Abraham, but, dear one, He has given you many promises. Do you believe, with the same faith that Mary and Abraham had, in the one who has made the promises of scripture? Are you waiting faithfully on God or are you giving up on Him? Today, be blessed, not because of things or people but because of your faith in a faithful God. By LaRaine Rice LaRaine is the wife of Jeff and mother of Christopher and Elizabeth. She teaches the sixth-grade girls on Sunday morning.
God’s Sovereignty and Man’s Imperfection Each Gospel approaches the story of Jesus a bit differently. In his account, Matthew doesn’t open with a star or a stable, but with genealogy. That long list of names quietly proclaims one of Scripture’s most surprising truths: the Savior of the world entered history through a line of broken and flawed people. Maybe there is no greater mystery—or greater comfort—than this: God sovereignly works through the messy, imperfect stories of ordinary people to accomplish His extraordinary purposes. Matthew intentionally highlights this messiness. Tamar’s story is marked by personal tragedy, deception, and painful family dysfunction. Rahab, a prostitute from a pagan nation, acted in courageous faith when everything was at stake. Ruth, a Moabite outsider, chose to follow Israel’s God instead of returning to the comfort of her homeland. David—Israel’s greatest king—was also the man who committed adultery, conspiracy, and murder. And Manasseh was a king whose evil was so severe it nearly destroyed Judah. These are not the names you expect in the family line of the Messiah. Yet God does not hide them; He includes them. And in doing so, He reveals a profound mystery: God never approves of sin, yet He is never defeated by it. Human decisions—good, bad, and devastating—remain real. But God’s sovereign purpose moves forward with absolute certainty. That’s why Matthew keeps repeating the phrase, “This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken…” The virgin birth? Fulfilled. Bethlehem as the birthplace? Fulfilled. The flight to Egypt? Fulfilled. Even the grief in Ramah? Fulfilled. These fulfilled prophecies are not random connections—they are purposeful declarations that nothing, not even human brokenness and failure, could derail God’s plan to bring Christ into the world. This truth does not minimize our responsibility; it magnifies it. Because God works through imperfect people, we never treat sin lightly. Grace is not an excuse to live carelessly; grace is the motivation to pursue Christ wholeheartedly. We strive for holiness, not to earn God’s favor, but because His grace has already been poured out on us. Your failures do not define you. But your calling—to emulate Christ, to grow in godliness, to walk faithfully—is real and weighty; and God Himself empowers it. As Paul reminds us in Philippians, we can “forget what is behind and press on toward the goal God has set before us.” As you reflect on the fact that God wove the messy choices of kings, outsiders, sinners, and wanderers into the story that led to Christ, remember this: God can certainly work within your story to advance His purposes - to bring hope to those around you through your redemption story, and to glorify Him through your life. By Paky Kramer
