29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:29
I want to spend a couple days with Thomas and this passage. First, Thomas.
Interesting legacy these folks must have left. How would you like to be remembered for your worst moment?
F.O.R.E.V.E.R.
How would you like for your name to be synonymous with the concept of doubt?
Always the doubter. Not the ponderer or questioner. The doubting one.
That’s Thomas.
He asks one question and is forever branded as the doubter.
What’s your worst moment look like? What shame or angst rises up when you think about it?
Imagine what it must have been like for Thomas. The others were claiming that Jesus was alive, resurrected. Wouldn’t you have questions, concerns? Seriously, let’s not jump to conclusions. I’m from Missouri. Show me.
And Jesus did. We’ll talk more about that tomorrow. Right now, I want to stay with Thomas, and his question. And Jesus response.
There was no chastisement for Thomas. No making him feel foolish, or wrong. Picturing Thomas there with Jesus causes hope to rise up in my soul.
Here’s the truth, as I see it: it’s okay to question and doubt as long as when Jesus shows up we recognize him and believe. One theologian has even said, “the doubter is sometimes closer to God than the believer.”
The world will always judge us, maybe even call us names, but the only judgment that matters is Jesus’.
PRAYER: Lord, we stand with Thomas today, and maybe even the father who came to Jesus seeking healing for his son: I believe. Lord, help me with my unbelief. Teach us it’s okay to ask questions. Help us to come to you for answers. We confess that image is often too important–at least the way we worry about what the world thinks about us. Heal the shame-filled spaces in our hearts. And may like Thomas bow in awe and wonder and acknowledge you as our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Pot of Manna 