Hello World,
As I was out of town this weekend and separated from my beloved laptop, I was not able to post this past Easter Sunday…However, I still have some thoughts on Easter that I would like to share…
Over the weekend, I saw an Easter play about the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ from the perspective of the Apostle Thomas also known as Doubting Thomas…The play got me thinking about why Thomas’ doubt was included in the account of Jesus appearing to the disciples and others after he was resurrected…As I’m learning the art of storytelling, I am realizing that everything that is included in the story must mean something to the story…
I believe that Thomas’ expression of doubt and the response of Jesus to his doubt is a revelation of the type of relationship that God wants to have with us…If you have not read the story, please read it below…
John 20:24-29
24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus[a]), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Below are a few conclusions I have come to as a result of this passage:
- God welcomes our questions. But we have to be prepared for the answers that He gives…Although Jesus chose to directly answer the questions of Thomas, it has been my experience we may not always get direct answers to our questions like what happened in the story of Job. However, I believe that when we seek God, He always responds by coming closer to us which can be more comforting than having the answers anyway…
- God rewards boldness. When Jesus appeared to the disciples, He addressed Thomas first! Thomas put his need out there and Jesus met that need…This story backs up Hebrews 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
- Doubt is okay, but faith is best. Although Jesus answered Thomas’ questions, he made sure to note that while Thomas believed because Jesus proved Himself to him, people that believe without seeing are even more blessed…And the Good News for us is that while we did not see Jesus while He was on earth, we stand to be even more blessed because we believe without seeing Him!
Any thoughts?