This morning I thought I would be doing Children's Church and the topic was Jesus' appearance to Thomas. It ended up being "Big Church Sunday" so there was no children's church, but I was given a thought this morning as I was thinking about Thomas and his doubt.
One of the devos from LeTourneau that I remember and has stuck with me was about Thomas. Dr. Ames offered a new twist of thought to Thomas--Thomas is remembered pretty much in church as the doubter. But Dr Ames pointed us to John 11:16 where Thomas was the disciple who encouraged the others to go with Jesus to visit Mary and Martha when Lazarus was ill and died. The others wanted to stay back and wanted Jesus not to go because the Jew had previously tried to stone him there--but Thomas said, "Let us also go, that we may die with him." He was ready to die with Jesus, and since Jesus said we'll go, Thomas said we'll go too.
In John 20:24-29, we see Thomas mentioned again. It is the familiar story of Thomas refusing to believe that Jesus was alive after having died--he would not believe unless he saw himself. Jesus appeared again to the disciples with Thomas and offered peace, and offered his scars for Thomas to see and believe. Then Thomas acknowledged Jesus as his Lord..and God.
I was thinking about this this morning and how all of have our times of doubt. I myself always feel guilty when I have doubts. But why should I feel guilty. Based on Jesus' response to Thomas, I don't think that guilty is what God wants us to feel. I don't think he's disappointed or angry with us when we doubt. Jesus responded lovingly to Thomas, and offered him clear evidence to overcome his doubt. God knows when we doubt, and he will lovingly help us believe past doubt that he is our God.
Looking back, I find it interesting wasn't the only one who doubted when told Jesus was alive having not seen Jesus himself. The disciples doubted the women (Luke 24:11) and initially thought Jesus was a ghost (Luke 24:37). Again, Jesus offered the same loving response of "Peace be with you" and offered them a chance to touch and feel his living body. In fact, while Thomas believed as soon as Jesus spoke, Luke 24:31 mentioned that the disciples at the first appearance still didn't believe until Jesus ate and then spoke and "opened their minds (45).
In the same way, God will offer us peace when we doubt and point us to scripture and open our minds.
All four gospels mention the doubt of the disciples. Mark 16:14 says Jesus rebuked them--but it's a loving rebuke that is presented in Luke and John. But I've never really noticed the comforting aspect of this story before--the comfort that God knows and cares, and open our minds in faith.
Posted by Anna at March 25, 2007 12:50 PM | TrackBack