REFLELECTIONS: THOMAS

"Doubting" Thomas. Unfair! That is what I call it. Far too long Christians have labeled the disciple Thomas as the "Doubter." Some have called him this in a rather rather critical manner. Imagine if you will a loved one has suddenly died and 3-4 days later comes back to life (Lazarus). Friends who have seen this loved one alive call you and your first reaction is total disbelief. Remember Lazarus' sisters who acknowledged at the second coming their beloved brother would be resurrected. Jesus must have looked at them with a bit of sadness over their lack of faith. In fact Jesus wept, not so much over the death of His friend as at the lack of faith, of unbelief. But it is understandable from a human viewpoint isn't it? What a cruel (if good intentioned) joke is this? We are filled with grief, we're heart broken at our loss. Now our loved one has been seen alive! Impossible! Let me grieve alone, leave me alone with my thoughts, my memories, my grief. John 20:24-30 Jesus does appear to Thomas. Can you imagine his utter amazement? Earlier when he was Jesus, his leader and master was alive he let it be known he could not accept that and unless he could put his hand or fingers into the nail holes, the wound left by the spear he would not, could not accept it. When Jesus stretched out His hands Thomas didn't touch them rather knelt in joy and cried out, My Lord and my God. What Jesus said may sound a bit like scolding but He understood Thomas reaction. 29 Jesus said to Thomas, “You believe because you've seen me. Blessed are those who haven't seen me but believe.”John 20:29 (GW). How long did it take you to believe in Christ? What doubts did you have to deal with.? I believe Jesus is the Christ who died and rose again. He died that I might live in Him.
Edward Klassen.