Thaddaeus was also known as Judas, son of James. The name Thaddaeus means courageous heart. The father’s name was included to separate him from Judas Iscariot. Sometimes he was called Lebbaeus. Lebbaeus is connected to a Hebrew word that means someone who is tender-hearted. Here we have another disciple for whom little is written. There are no indications that he ever caused a problem or was self-centered. All that is written about him is positive. It is a good thing when people can only say good or positive things about you.
He is mentioned by all three names in different places, but the only time we see him speaking is in John 14:22. Jesus was in the upper room with His disciples. He was talking to them about what the future held for Himself. Just a week before, Jesus was being praised by the people as He rode into Jerusalem. Now, they are eating their last meal with Him. He speaks to reveal that He will be leaving, but they do not understand what He is talking about. They had never experienced anyone or anything like Jesus before. They are certain He is the one they should follow, and some have expressed that they will follow Him in death. They loved Him and desired to be with Him in all situations.
In John 14:22, Thaddaeus asks Jesus why He will show Himself to them and not to the world? This gentle soul with a tender heart was searching for answers. I can imagine this man, who is usually the silent one, following and learning from the master, so humble that he lets the other disciples ask the questions as he sits and learns, now speaks up. He speaks with no sense of pride, as we see in some of the others. He speaks with concern. He could not believe that Jesus would make himself known to this group of 12 and not the world. The disciples had expected Jesus to rule on the earth. They thought He had come to set up His kingdom, but that was not the case, at least not in the physical sense. All along, the Jews had expected the Messiah to come to rule this physical world and redeem them from the rule of the Romans. They had missed the purpose of the Messiah, and their pride rejected Him.
John 14:22 “Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?”
Thaddaeus had experienced the power of forgiveness from Jesus. He had experienced the hope that only Jesus can give. This tender-hearted, humble servant wanted everyone to experience what he had. Therefore, he could not understand Jesus’ words to them in the upper room. I can only imagine how he felt when Jesus was arrested and crucified. Did he lose hope for the future? Was he afraid to be known as one of Jesus’ disciples? How was he to proceed in his life that had been wrapped around this man for three years? He wanted everyone to know Jesus as he knew Him and wanted to know why Jesus was not going to let the world know him as they did.
Jesus answers him in John 14:23 and says, “If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” Jesus, in this context, is trying to let them know He is not leaving them comfortless. He will send the Holy Spirit to them. He had no plans to take over the physical world, but He would make Himself known in the hearts of anyone who believed.
Historical documents and writings indicate that Thaddaeus continued the work to make sure others knew who Jesus was. He took the gospel north to Edessa, a royal city in Mesopotamia. Today, this is the area of Turkey. He continued to spread the gospel just as the others who stayed faithful to Him after the resurrection.
We need to be like Thaddaeus in our approach to the gospel. We should desire that all would be saved. Everyone should know about Jesus. We need to be busy telling everyone we know the hope of eternal life. We need to support missions so that those who are not in our area can know Jesus. He gave them the command to go and tell just before He left, and that is what they did. However, this command is also for us. Thaddaeus was not a man of many words, but when He does speak, it is for understanding. He was not like Peter, who spoke boldly, and sometimes it was good, and sometimes it was prideful. He was not like Thomas, who doubted and had to have things proven to Him. He was one who listened closely and obeyed. He loved Jesus as much as the others, but he proved it by his obedience.
John 14:15 “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
