Pastor's Column 4/7/2024

PASTOR’S COLUMN

“Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” He said. Then He said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed. Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. “Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”     John 20:26-29, NLT

“Believe!”

Thomas may well hold the distinction of being the disciple, least understood. Unlike nearly all of the other disciples, we know nothing of where Thomas came from; or any of his associations, that led him to follow Jesus. Thomas had a vacillating personality, and this may explain, in part, why he was called the Twin. There’s no evidence of Thomas having a twin sibling, so the term may well speak to his indecisive behavior. On one occasion, Thomas spoke boldly of his loyalty to Jesus, by declaring he would even “die for His Lord!” (John 11:16). Yet, Thomas was one among seven of the disciples who deserted Jesus, and joined Peter on a fishing excursion (John 21:1-3). On the evening of the Resurrection, Jesus appeared to the disciples, but Thomas was absent. To this day, it is a mystery where Thomas was. There has been much speculation, and invalid theories. What is certain, Thomas was unconvinced when the other disciples told him they had seen Jesus. Thomas was further upset; when he was told, some of them had actually touched the wounds of Jesus, where the nails were placed. Vacillating between sheer embarrassment, and pride; Thomas boldly stated he would believe what the other disciples told him, if he could examine Jesus himself. Thomas was given his opportunity a week later, when Jesus again appeared before the disciples. Jesus invited Thomas to investigate his claims; but in the presence of his Lord, Thomas shrunk. He gave Jesus the highest Affirmation: My Lord, my God! Thomas believed. He never touched Jesus. He believed. We’ve never seen those wounds. We Believe!