​Our Sunday School class had been studying the apostles, and the teacher asked each of us to think and say with which apostle we most identified. When it came to me, several immediately commented that it was Thomas, and I admitted that they were correct. They based their conclusion on the fact that I was a mathematician and was concerned with proof; that was only part of my reason, however.

​The term “Doubting Thomas” comes from John 20: 19-29. Jesus has appeared to the disciples and showed them his hands and side. For some reason Thomas was not with them, and when they relate their experience to him, he replies (verse 25), “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” Note that his doubt is expressed in reaction to an almost unbelievable statement by the other disciples. There is another account of this in Luke, and in Luke 24:38-39 we learn that in fact they all had doubted, for Jesus says, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your minds?” Later Jesus appears to the group again, and He invites Thomas to reach out and touch him. We don’t know if he did, but we do know he believed and said (John 20:28), “My Lord and my God!” Thomas is the only person in the Bible to directly address Jesus as God.

​Two other incidents shed further light on Thomas. The first is recounted in John 11: 1- 16. Jesus received word that Lazarus, whom he loved, was very sick, and He decides to go to Bethany to “wake him up.” The disciples remind him that the Jews there had tried to stone him, but he says “But let us go to him.” Thomas, talking to the other disciples, courageously says, “Let us also go, that we may die with Him.” Church tradition is consistent with this depiction of Thomas as a man of courage. It is believed (and there is some evidence) that he went as a missionary to India. There he was martyred by being run through with a spear while praying for his oppressors.

​The second episode is told in John 14. Verses 1-4 are the familiar verses including “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?” You have probably heard it read at funerals. Thomas does not understand and in honesty asks (verse 5) “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

​Here is the reason I identify most with Thomas. I know that I am like Thomas in that I have doubts, and I believe that I am also like Thomas in that I have turned some of these doubts into an intellectually honest desire to understand. On the other hand, I can only aspire to have some of his courage.

​You might find it a good experience to think about the disciples and decide if there is one with which you identify.

​Read John 14:1-14, and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

 Jim

Posted in August 2016