There\u2019s not a lot mentioned about Thomas in the Bible, but from what little is said, I think I would like him.\u00a0 Also known as Didymus, meaning \u201ctwin,\u201d he was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus.\u00a0 He has been given the dubious nickname \u201cDoubting Thomas,\u201d but I often wonder if this wasn\u2019t because he was the guy who said what everyone else was thinking.\u00a0 Here are a few examples of what I mean.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When the disciples got the word that Jesus\u2019 dear friend Lazarus was very ill Jesus decided to go to Judea to visit him.\u00a0 Some disciples tried to convince Jesus this wasn\u2019t a good idea because the Jews there wanted to kill him.\u00a0 However, Thomas said, \u201cLet us also go so we may die with him.\u201d\u00a0 (John 11:16)\u00a0 In other words, \u201cJesus is determined to go so I guess this as good a day as any to die.\u00a0 Let\u2019s follow Jesus!\u201d<\/p>\n
At the Last Supper Jesus had an intimate discussion with the disciples to give them edification for the future.\u00a0 He spoke of preparing a place for them and said, \u201cWhither I go ye know, and the way ye know.\u201d\u00a0 Thomas replied, \u201cLord, we don\u2019t know where you are going so how can we know the way?\u201d (John 14:5)\u00a0 You can\u2019t convince me all the other disciples fully understood everything, but Thomas had the guts to say, \u201cHey, I don\u2019t think I\u2019m totally getting this.\u201d\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
In the evening of the day Christ rose from the dead, Jesus came to the disciples.\u00a0 He showed them his nail scarred hands and his pierced side.\u00a0 Unfortunately, Thomas wasn\u2019t there.\u00a0 (John 20:19-23)\u00a0 When the disciples told Thomas Christ had risen and they had seen him he said, \u201cExcept I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.\u201d (v. 23, 24) Now Jesus had already revealed his scars to the others, but not to Thomas.\u00a0 Personally, I\u2019m not all that sure some of those other disciples wouldn\u2019t have said the same thing if they hadn\u2019t seen Jesus with their own eyes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Eight days later when all the disciples, including Thomas, were together Jesus came to them again.\u00a0 Jesus told Thomas to touch his scars and \u201cbe not faithless, but believe.\u201d Thomas humbly responded with, \u201cMy Lord and my God.\u201d \u00a0In fact, Thomas is the first disciple to refer to Jesus as both Lord and GOD.\u00a0 Jesus replied, \u201cThomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.\u201d\u00a0 (v. 24- 29) I don\u2019t think this is a rebuke or disparagement of Thomas\u2019 faith.\u00a0 I see it as Jesus using an opportunity to teach a life lesson, which he so often did.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
I sooooo identify with Thomas.\u00a0 He was the guy who said what everyone else was thinking.\u00a0 He may not have always been totally sure what Jesus was talking about, but that didn\u2019t stop him from following him.\u00a0 At times he needed a little more convincing, sometimes he didn\u2019t.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know about you, but that describes my Christian journey. \u00a0Reading about Thomas gives me great comfort and hope.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
There\u2019s not a lot mentioned about Thomas in the Bible, but from what little is said, I think I would like him.\u00a0 Also known as Didymus, meaning \u201ctwin,\u201d he was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus.\u00a0 He has been … Continue reading