September 28, 2012

Chapter 27- The Resurrection  

Many times a nickname can be endearing.  Perhaps a sweet moniker a wife calls her husband.  Or a pet name a parent has for a child.  Other times a nickname can denote accomplishments.  The Sultan of Swat.  The Flying Tomato.  Not all nicknames are desirable.  Benedict Arnold.  Tricky Dick.  Round Mound of Rebound. 

John 20:24-29 tells the story of one of the 11 whose actions have linked his name forever with scepticism.  Doubting Thomas.  My personal jury is still out on Thomas.

Take 1-  Thomas was not swayed by the seemingly outlandish stories of the others.  Risen from the dead!  How crazy that must have sounded to Thomas.  No longer in the grave.  Balderdash!  It is important that Christians be discerners of what we hear preached, taught and internetted.  Test all things against scripture.  Thomas was not swayed by the "gossip" of the day.

Take 2-  Hadn't Christ told the discioples time and again how he would be resurrected from the grave?  Hadn't OT testment prophecies pointed to that same event?  The disciples even witnessed Christ raise others from the dead.  Why was it so hard to believe in his resurrection?  Trusted friends had told Thomas of the resurrection.  Christ had foretold of the event.  Was Thomas being sensible or obstinate?

AS I was reading the account of Thomas in the 20th chapter of John, verse 26 caused me to pity Thomas.  "A week later. . ."  

Thomas had been told by the others, "We have seen the Lord!"   What excitement.  What joy!  Thomas' response?  “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.” 

Verse 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. . ."  It was only after Thomas had seen for himself did he believe in Christ's resurrection.  A week later.   Seven days.  168 hours.  How much joy Thomas missed because of his doubt. Thomas endured seven days of unnecessary worry, hand-wringing and anxiety did Thomas becaue he did not believe.  Self-inflicted misery.

So often Thomas is seen in a negative light because of his doubts.  But how many Christians today are losing sleep, joy and fulfillment because we doubt God and His promises?  While we do not have the physical body of the resurrected Christ to cement our belief, we do have the Bible, Holy Spirit and testament of others.  Let's not allow our doubts to rob us of a week, a month, a year or a lifetime of rejoicing in the resurrected Christ.

Side note:  I wonder how Thomas handled the rejoicing, celebrating and excitement of others during his week of disbelief?