Perhaps this wasn’t his first big disappointment. Maybe his heart had been broken before.
But Thomas had dared to believe that Jesus from Nazareth was their Messiah and had made personal sacrifices to follow and serve and had become one of Jesus’ 12 closest disciples. He had rejoiced with the others in the wonderful miracles Jesus had done in Galilee and in the delegated authority He had given them to preach and heal people and drive out demons.
He had celebrated with the crowd on Palm Sunday, felt growing anxiety at the Last Supper and prayed like never before that somehow the nightmare of the cross would end on Good Friday but it didn’t. Jesus went on suffering and eventually died and was buried.
And with that Thomas’ cynicism returned. What a fool he felt he had been now these last three years, allowing his hopes to rise, actually believing things could be better. He was rebuilding his defensive walls, swearing to himself he’d never be so naïve again when Peter and John contacted Him, saying they had seen Jesus alive.
Wishful thinking! thought Thomas, I might have believed it a few months ago but now, well, I’m just not sure. No harm to you men but I’d want some pretty hard evidence to get me back on board.
Understanding Thomas is not that difficult. He wasn’t there that first Easter Sunday, he missed Jesus’ first appearances. He still didn’t understand why the cross had been necessary, his emotions were equally confused and their lives were still in danger. Surely it was only sensible to be cautious? We could identify…
But let’s note that when Jesus appeared to them again He gently scolded Thomas.
Come here Thomas! You should be careful what you ask for! Come closer, look at my hands. Put your hand in my side. Feel these wounds. Here’s plenty of evidence for you and anyone else, all the proof that’s needed. Stop doubting and believe!
His words could just as easily be for us.
We’ve been disappointed and hurt by various experiences in life. It makes us cautious and a bit cynical. But there’s no need for Christians to stay crippled by unbelief and fear. We mustn’t allow these things to become an excuse for disobedience and sin.
The resurrection gives us an opportunity for fresh faith and hope. We may hesitate to fully trust ourselves or each other but we can have complete confidence in our crucified and risen Saviour!
Jesus has defeated sin, evil and death. He has overcome the world. He is risen to glory. Our destiny is secure! Even now He will hear our prayers and give us the help we need!
We may not understand everything in the short term or receive everything we ask for in prayer. The world is still fallen and broken so at times we must expect things like sickness and opposition and a share of sorrow and stress.
But Jesus teaches us to trust God as our gracious Father in heaven Who delights to provide good and generous gifts to His children. When we seek as of first importance His kingdom and righteousness, all that pleases Him, He is pleased to bless us in many ways. Forgiveness and salvation, the powerful presence and help of the Holy Spirit, our daily bread and clothing, somewhere to rest and loving fellowship in the family of His Church.
Jesus said the hairs of our head are numbered. He identified Himself to Mary by speaking her name. He singled out Thomas in the Upper Room. This means He knows each one of us as individuals and will guide and care for us individually.
Thomas replied with a declaration of personal faith: ‘My Lord and my God!’ He made sure he was with the others from then on, he didn’t want to miss Jesus again. He would have been there praying with other believers when the Spirit came at Pentecost. Empowered and equipped, he would have gone out to preach the good news of Jesus and the kingdom of God.
Tradition has it that Thomas founded churches in Turkey and travelled with the Gospel as far as India where he was martyred in AD72. Thomas may have hesitated initially but he was found faithful in the end!
So what about us? Are we still hesitating, allowing our doubts to hold us back? The writer to the Hebrews 4 v 14-16 urges us to lift our eyes above our earthly circumstances and focus our attention on Jesus Who is risen and reigning in heaven. He is the source of our confidence, now and forever. He gives us the ability to live with a heavenly perspective.
So let’s make up our minds to live in the light of the resurrection from now on!
Let’s stop doubting and believe!
But Thomas had dared to believe that Jesus from Nazareth was their Messiah and had made personal sacrifices to follow and serve and had become one of Jesus’ 12 closest disciples. He had rejoiced with the others in the wonderful miracles Jesus had done in Galilee and in the delegated authority He had given them to preach and heal people and drive out demons.
He had celebrated with the crowd on Palm Sunday, felt growing anxiety at the Last Supper and prayed like never before that somehow the nightmare of the cross would end on Good Friday but it didn’t. Jesus went on suffering and eventually died and was buried.
And with that Thomas’ cynicism returned. What a fool he felt he had been now these last three years, allowing his hopes to rise, actually believing things could be better. He was rebuilding his defensive walls, swearing to himself he’d never be so naïve again when Peter and John contacted Him, saying they had seen Jesus alive.
Wishful thinking! thought Thomas, I might have believed it a few months ago but now, well, I’m just not sure. No harm to you men but I’d want some pretty hard evidence to get me back on board.
Understanding Thomas is not that difficult. He wasn’t there that first Easter Sunday, he missed Jesus’ first appearances. He still didn’t understand why the cross had been necessary, his emotions were equally confused and their lives were still in danger. Surely it was only sensible to be cautious? We could identify…
But let’s note that when Jesus appeared to them again He gently scolded Thomas.
Come here Thomas! You should be careful what you ask for! Come closer, look at my hands. Put your hand in my side. Feel these wounds. Here’s plenty of evidence for you and anyone else, all the proof that’s needed. Stop doubting and believe!
His words could just as easily be for us.
We’ve been disappointed and hurt by various experiences in life. It makes us cautious and a bit cynical. But there’s no need for Christians to stay crippled by unbelief and fear. We mustn’t allow these things to become an excuse for disobedience and sin.
The resurrection gives us an opportunity for fresh faith and hope. We may hesitate to fully trust ourselves or each other but we can have complete confidence in our crucified and risen Saviour!
Jesus has defeated sin, evil and death. He has overcome the world. He is risen to glory. Our destiny is secure! Even now He will hear our prayers and give us the help we need!
We may not understand everything in the short term or receive everything we ask for in prayer. The world is still fallen and broken so at times we must expect things like sickness and opposition and a share of sorrow and stress.
But Jesus teaches us to trust God as our gracious Father in heaven Who delights to provide good and generous gifts to His children. When we seek as of first importance His kingdom and righteousness, all that pleases Him, He is pleased to bless us in many ways. Forgiveness and salvation, the powerful presence and help of the Holy Spirit, our daily bread and clothing, somewhere to rest and loving fellowship in the family of His Church.
Jesus said the hairs of our head are numbered. He identified Himself to Mary by speaking her name. He singled out Thomas in the Upper Room. This means He knows each one of us as individuals and will guide and care for us individually.
Thomas replied with a declaration of personal faith: ‘My Lord and my God!’ He made sure he was with the others from then on, he didn’t want to miss Jesus again. He would have been there praying with other believers when the Spirit came at Pentecost. Empowered and equipped, he would have gone out to preach the good news of Jesus and the kingdom of God.
Tradition has it that Thomas founded churches in Turkey and travelled with the Gospel as far as India where he was martyred in AD72. Thomas may have hesitated initially but he was found faithful in the end!
So what about us? Are we still hesitating, allowing our doubts to hold us back? The writer to the Hebrews 4 v 14-16 urges us to lift our eyes above our earthly circumstances and focus our attention on Jesus Who is risen and reigning in heaven. He is the source of our confidence, now and forever. He gives us the ability to live with a heavenly perspective.
So let’s make up our minds to live in the light of the resurrection from now on!
Let’s stop doubting and believe!
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