I always loved the story of Thomas, probably because I wrestle with doubt. Thomas was one of Jesus’ original 12 followers. While he makes few appearances, his most notable comes after Jesus rose from the dead. About a week after his resurrection, Jesus’ followers are all huddled together -hiding out in fear. The political situation, the rumors of Jesus coming back to life, the Priest’s anger -are still conspiring against those closest to Jesus. While most of Jesus’ followers had seen him; Thomas had not yet.
Thomas must have watched lots of ‘CSI: Jerusalem,’ because he wanted to see the evidence before he believed the rumors of Jesus’ resurrection. Dead people just don’t come back to life.
Instantly Jesus appears in the room, right through the locked doors. Jesus knows the disciples are afraid and so he tells them, ‘Peace be with you.’ He turns, faces Thomas and says, ‘Put your finger here, see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.’ Thomas responds, ‘My Lord and my God!’
Thomas is a hero because he shows that there is hope for doubters. Jesus can and will meet our questions. He is not an elusive man of history nor is he a mythical legend. Jesus will move heaven and earth to answer our doubts.
Thomas is a hero because he rose to the challenge, and allowed his doubts to succumb to the truth. Some revel in doubt because dealing with the truth is too demanding. Some enjoy sewing the seeds of doubt because they enjoy seeing others squirm. Thomas’ doubt led him to a moment of personal integrity and belief in Jesus.
Do you have doubts about Jesus? Great, send them in and let’s continue the conversation.
11 comments:
Was just looking at all the definitions of doubt. Whew! Lack conviction was the one that struck me. I can be so double minded. One day I'm so certain, te next I question everything. I keep thinking how Jesus said blessed are those who have faith but do not see. Thank goodness I am not alone in the wrestling. Love that I can be open and honest with doubt and questioning. It is a lifelong journey.
Thanks for sharing this way of looking at Thomass, I like it, it makes our doubts seem realistic yet can be dealt with....
I do not understand why Jesus' disciples did not recognize him. Had his features changed?
Deb great question! I think that there are a few reasons why they may not have immediately recognized Jesus. Even though Jesus told them that he would die and rise again, this truth may have pushed them to their intellectual edge; as people just don't do that. Secondly, when thinking about the crucifixion, we know that it was an act of extreme brutality. Jesus on the cross probably didn't even look human any longer, as the torture changed how he looked. This image of a damaged Jesus on the cross may have been the last image of Jesus that they had in their minds.
I absolutely love Thomas. I'm glad you posted this because to be honest I think Thomas has been misunderstood. Sure...Thomas wouldn't believe that Jesus was risen unless he seen for himself. I would say his doubt was directly related to his absolute love for Jesus, and not due to him being a negative person. He was protective. He was afraid to open himself up to the possibility of being hurt. He was being cautious. So... A week later Jesus shows up, addresses Thomas and his doubt and tells him to start believing. Thomas then immediately responds with "My Lord and My God". His response is evidence of his deep down desire to believe. This is the story that most people know about.
I'm convinced that there was more to Thomas. People just need to read a bit deeper into this man. I'm guessing Thomas was probably the most loyal Disciple of the crew. Look at John chapter 11. Here we have a scared group of disciples who are trying to talk Jesus out of going to Judea because they were scared. They are all probably whispering amongst themselves saying..."Jesus is acting crazy, and if we go to Judea we are all going to die" Look who stepped up to the plate here. You guessed it...Thomas. The scriptures say he spoke up to the disciples as if they needed some kind of pep talk here and says "Let us also go so we may die with him".
Sounds like a hero to me!!!
Right on Ray. I have always thought that Doubt is a gift from God... it can be used to draw us closer. The reality is that we all doubt, right! So why do we pretend that Christians don't, or shouldn't doubt?
I think of John the Baptist, who Jesus said was the greatest born of a woman. He spent his life preaching about Jesus and then when he was about to die, he sends a messenger to ask Jesus, if he indeed truly was The One.... (Matthew 11). Here he is a pillar of truth and a model of righteousness and at the end, he doubted. Jesus didn't blast his doubt, but calmly and lovingly answered John... just like how he answers each of us!
Even more...I love Jesus response. He didn't say, "you betcha I'm Him" or "I can't believe John would ask such a question", but rather
4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy[b] are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 6 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”
I LOVE IT!!
Lord, help us to see this. Sometimes it feels as if we are locked away with John...dark and alone. We are so desperate and seeking out answers, and we doubt. We doubt sometimes that you hear us, or you can possibly care for us as sinners...as wicked as we are. In this time Lord, help us to see the blind miraculously receiving their sight, the lame walking, the deaf hearing, and the dead rising up from the grave. Your Kingdom Lord is full of doubters because of your grace and mercy, and your Kingdom is perfect!
Awesome stuff
Is it fair to say that Thomas "allowed his doubts to succumb to the truth"? He wanted more evidence and then he received more evidence, enough to nullify his doubts. I see the concept of faith as a decision to believe certain things in spite of one's doubts. Therefore Thomas is reviled as a man of little faith. Would he still be a hero if he didn't receive the additional evidence that overwhelmed his doubt?
The reality is that we live by faith all the time. Faith isn't the suspension of intelligence, but an active way to approach the mysteries of this life. Thomas doubted, and his doubt was met by evidence. I see him as a hero for his honesty and authenticity. Jesus doesn't blast his mindset, rather meets him where he is at, and provides exactly what he needs.
This is what he still does for us today...
There are many people with the same honest and authentic questions and doubts that Thomas had, but they do not get the personal visit and presentation of physical evidence that he received.
Is Thomas a hero because he got the extraordinary evidence that he demanded? How is he any different in his honesty and authenticity from others who have similar doubts and don't receive such evidence?
I think that he is a hero, in that he wasn't afraid to verbalize his fears, directly address Jesus and ask for what he needed. He had doubt and knew what to do with it, in terms of going to the one who can alleviate his concerns.
I think that this is the same pattern for us today, in handling our doubt. Not to be afraid to verbalize our fears, directly address Christ and seek what we need. I am convinced, at least in my own life and experiences, that my doubts are always remedied!
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