Reading in John these past several weeks has been enlightening. I've read it through before, but I'm always excited when I find new things that stand out to me. Recently Thomas (also known as Didymus - rather think I'd go by Thomas at that point, too!) made me pause and reflect.
I've always heard him referred to as Doubting Thomas because he was the disciple who refused to believe that Jesus had actually resurrected and had shown Himself to others unless he got to see the nail marks in Jesus's hand and put his hand in Jesus's pierced side (More on that in John 20:24-29). Thinking back, I'm not sure I have ever heard Thomas painted in a positive light. I've grown up in a Christian home, in Christian schools through graduation, a pastor's kid, and the list goes on --- and not one memory came to me that made Thomas out to be a great guy. Still, somehow he was chosen as one of Jesus's disciples, right? That list wasn't very long so he had to have had SOMETHING going for him.
He did. I found it in John 11, specifically verse 16.
Lazarus, one of Jesus's dearest friends had just passed away. Jesus decided to finished up what he was doing where he was at, then said they needed to return to Judea to check in on Lazarus. From how verse 8 reads, I imagine a collective gasp came from the group as they reminded him that a short time ago the Jews there were trying to stone Him and now He was thinking of returning?! Poor disciples. When would they learn that using logic wasn't the way their Savior operated? He didn't need logic when He knew how the story ends.
They continue to try to persuade Jesus to not go to Lazarus until Thomas pipes up. Yeah, the same Thomas who one day would be famous not for his work for the Lord, but by that one time he voiced his doubt. Thomas pipes up and says, "Let us also go, that we may die with Him."
Woah. He sounded pretty tough there! There basically was a bounty out for Jesus and his disciples could be considered collateral damage. The disciples were still struggling to grasp the concept that Jesus was going to leave them, yet they were starting to see the danger that Jesus and, likewise, they were walking into.
But Thomas wasn't doubting that day. He said he'd follow Jesus, even if it meant death. Doesn't sound like a wuss anymore, does he?
Do you ever doubt? I know I do. Do you every worry that maybe, just maybe, the Lord might be a little off on where He is leading you? I'll raise my hand here. Do you ever feel like people are only seeing that "one time" you did or said something and not seeing you for who you truly are? Me! I feel that way sometimes (even just this week actually).
Thomas was defined in history by one moment, but he was a series of moments. He was a man loved by Jesus, called by Jesus. He had great purpose and had it in him to raise serious doubts and show serious bravery.
As do we. Don't let a moment of doubt define your relationship with the Savior. You aren't that doubt. And you aren't defined by that doubt. Use that doubt to deepen your relationship with the One who doesn't even remember yours sins, your doubts, your indiscretions, the moment you tell Him.
We are better, stronger and greatly loved by Someone who sees past our doubt to our devotion.
I've always heard him referred to as Doubting Thomas because he was the disciple who refused to believe that Jesus had actually resurrected and had shown Himself to others unless he got to see the nail marks in Jesus's hand and put his hand in Jesus's pierced side (More on that in John 20:24-29). Thinking back, I'm not sure I have ever heard Thomas painted in a positive light. I've grown up in a Christian home, in Christian schools through graduation, a pastor's kid, and the list goes on --- and not one memory came to me that made Thomas out to be a great guy. Still, somehow he was chosen as one of Jesus's disciples, right? That list wasn't very long so he had to have had SOMETHING going for him.
He did. I found it in John 11, specifically verse 16.
Lazarus, one of Jesus's dearest friends had just passed away. Jesus decided to finished up what he was doing where he was at, then said they needed to return to Judea to check in on Lazarus. From how verse 8 reads, I imagine a collective gasp came from the group as they reminded him that a short time ago the Jews there were trying to stone Him and now He was thinking of returning?! Poor disciples. When would they learn that using logic wasn't the way their Savior operated? He didn't need logic when He knew how the story ends.
They continue to try to persuade Jesus to not go to Lazarus until Thomas pipes up. Yeah, the same Thomas who one day would be famous not for his work for the Lord, but by that one time he voiced his doubt. Thomas pipes up and says, "Let us also go, that we may die with Him."
Woah. He sounded pretty tough there! There basically was a bounty out for Jesus and his disciples could be considered collateral damage. The disciples were still struggling to grasp the concept that Jesus was going to leave them, yet they were starting to see the danger that Jesus and, likewise, they were walking into.
But Thomas wasn't doubting that day. He said he'd follow Jesus, even if it meant death. Doesn't sound like a wuss anymore, does he?
Do you ever doubt? I know I do. Do you every worry that maybe, just maybe, the Lord might be a little off on where He is leading you? I'll raise my hand here. Do you ever feel like people are only seeing that "one time" you did or said something and not seeing you for who you truly are? Me! I feel that way sometimes (even just this week actually).
Thomas was defined in history by one moment, but he was a series of moments. He was a man loved by Jesus, called by Jesus. He had great purpose and had it in him to raise serious doubts and show serious bravery.
As do we. Don't let a moment of doubt define your relationship with the Savior. You aren't that doubt. And you aren't defined by that doubt. Use that doubt to deepen your relationship with the One who doesn't even remember yours sins, your doubts, your indiscretions, the moment you tell Him.
We are better, stronger and greatly loved by Someone who sees past our doubt to our devotion.
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