When it comes to the Apostles, it sometimes seems that we want to take one thing and use that to label them. With some, it is easy. Peter was called by Jesus as the Rock upon which the Church would stand. Likewise, Jesus named James and John "Men of Thunder."
But what about Thomas? I'm sure you know the story. Jesus was killed on Good Friday and, even though He'd told His disciples this had to happen, they were in shock. They were locked in a room, hiding. All except Thomas. John 20:24 tells us that. It doesn't tell us where Thomas was, because that was not as important as the fact that Thomas was not there when Jesus appeared in His resurrected body.
When Thomas got back, the other disciples told him about Jesus' appearance. And here we get the story of Doubting Thomas. His response, in John 20:25 was simple, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe."
Of course, a week later, Jesus appeared again and Thomas was there. Jesus offered Thomas the chance to place his fingers through the nail-pierced hands, and Thomas cried out to his Lord and his God. Then we get that wonderful line from Jesus:
"Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe."
John 20:29
What a story. But it isn't a complete picture. Thomas is mentioned as one of the twelve in each of the Gospels, but in John we get more insight into this "Doubting" Apostle.
In John, Chapter 11, we read the story of Lazarus. Lazarus lived in Judea. Lazarus' sisters told Jesus of Lazarus' illness and, in the course of time, He said to His disciples, "Let's go to Judea." And they said, well, let me paraphrase:
"Are you crazy? They just tried to KILL you there! Now you want to go back?!?!"
So Jesus gently explains that Lazarus is dead, and again says, "Let us go to him." And who responds? Thomas.
Thomas isn't doubting this time. He knows his life may be forfeit for showing up in Judea with Jesus. Even so Thomas says, "Let us also go, that we may die with him." Granted that Thomas flees Jesus on Good Friday, but on this day he was prepared to die with Jesus if necessary. He made a conscioius decision that wherever his Lord and Saviour went, there also would he go, even if he didn't know where Jesus was going.
In John 14, Jesus is attempting to tell his disciples that He must die. Jesus says:
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going."
John 14:1-4
And Thomas, ever practical Thomas, states the obvious. "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?" He isn't doubting, just seeking direction, knowing Jesus will tell him. And how does Jesus answer?
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him."
John 14:6,7
Before I had children, I wondered how Jesus could put up with some of the questions His disciples asked. Why didn't they get it? Now I know. I understand what it means to love unconditionally and where that patience comes from.
I also realize that we have seen what the apostles at this time hadn't. At the time Jesus was speaking to them, they knew Christ. We, on the other hand, know Christ, and Him crucified. A little later in chapter 14, Jesus talks about the Holy Spirit, a gift we have here and now, that was still to come for the disciples. What seems obvious to us is proof that hindsight is 20-20.
So I come again the the question of "Doubting" Thomas. Thomas who was ready to die for his Lord, and yet who fled in fright; Thomas who said, "God, I don't understand"; Thomas who didn't want to believe without proof. Is the title Doubting Thomas an apt one?
I see so much of myself in Thomas. I can not begin to count the number of times I've asked God to prove Himself to me because, like the father in Mark, I cry out "I believe, help my unbelief!" Is that so different from Thomas, in this very emotional time, saying he must see for himself that His Lord and Saviour has done what He said He would?
And I have proclaimed that I would follow Jesus wherever He would lead me, only to later turn aside when the going got rough, then to sheepishly return when the shepherd called my name.
And it seems that daily I am asking God to explain something that later appears to be so simple any child should have been able to grasp it, and listening and learning as He patiently does.
Doubting Thomas? You decide.
When it comes to the Apostles, it sometimes seems that we want to take one thing and use that to label them. With some, it is easy. Peter was called by Jesus as the Rock upon which the Church would stand. Likewise, Jesus named James and John "Men of Thunder."
But what about Thomas? I'm sure you know the story. Jesus was killed on Good Friday and, even though He'd told His disciples this had to happen, they were in shock. They were locked in a room, hiding. All except Thomas. John 20:24 tells us that. It doesn't tell us where Thomas was, because that was not as important as the fact that Thomas was not there when Jesus appeared in His resurrected body.
When Thomas got back, the other disciples told him about Jesus' appearance. And here we get the story of Doubting Thomas. His response, in John 20:25 was simple, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe."
Of course, a week later, Jesus appeared again and Thomas was there. Jesus offered Thomas the chance to place his fingers through the nail-pierced hands, and Thomas cried out to his Lord and his God. Then we get that wonderful line from Jesus:
"Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe."
John 20:29
What a story. But it isn't a complete picture. Thomas is mentioned as one of the twelve in each of the Gospels, but in John we get more insight into this "Doubting" Apostle.
In John, Chapter 11, we read the story of Lazarus. Lazarus lived in Judea. Lazarus' sisters told Jesus of Lazarus' illness and, in the course of time, He said to His disciples, "Let's go to Judea." And they said, well, let me paraphrase:
"Are you crazy? They just tried to KILL you there! Now you want to go back?!?!"
So Jesus gently explains that Lazarus is dead, and again says, "Let us go to him." And who responds? Thomas.
Thomas isn't doubting this time. He knows his life may be forfeit for showing up in Judea with Jesus. Even so Thomas says, "Let us also go, that we may die with him." Granted that Thomas flees Jesus on Good Friday, but on this day he was prepared to die with Jesus if necessary. He made a conscioius decision that wherever his Lord and Saviour went, there also would he go, even if he didn't know where Jesus was going.
In John 14, Jesus is attempting to tell his disciples that He must die. Jesus says:
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going."
John 14:1-4
And Thomas, ever practical Thomas, states the obvious. "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?" He isn't doubting, just seeking direction, knowing Jesus will tell him. And how does Jesus answer?
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him."
John 14:6,7
Before I had children, I wondered how Jesus could put up with some of the questions His disciples asked. Why didn't they get it? Now I know. I understand what it means to love unconditionally and where that patience comes from.
I also realize that we have seen what the apostles at this time hadn't. At the time Jesus was speaking to them, they knew Christ. We, on the other hand, know Christ, and Him crucified. A little later in chapter 14, Jesus talks about the Holy Spirit, a gift we have here and now, that was still to come for the disciples. What seems obvious to us is proof that hindsight is 20-20.
So I come again the the question of "Doubting" Thomas. Thomas who was ready to die for his Lord, and yet who fled in fright; Thomas who said, "God, I don't understand"; Thomas who didn't want to believe without proof. Is the title Doubting Thomas an apt one?
I see so much of myself in Thomas. I can not begin to count the number of times I've asked God to prove Himself to me because, like the father in Mark, I cry out "I believe, help my unbelief!" Is that so different from Thomas, in this very emotional time, saying he must see for himself that His Lord and Saviour has done what He said He would?
And I have proclaimed that I would follow Jesus wherever He would lead me, only to later turn aside when the going got rough, then to sheepishly return when the shepherd called my name.
And it seems that daily I am asking God to explain something that later appears to be so simple any child should have been able to grasp it, and listening and learning as He patiently does.
Doubting Thomas? You decide.