Monday
Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not
with the disciples when Jesus came.
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 it.” 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!” 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.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my
God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed;
blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” -
John 20:24-29
“Doubting Thomas” -
That descriptive name has endured the centuries in seemingly mock honor
of the one disciple who vocally expressed his doubt about the
resurrection. Thomas was the lone apostle absent from the first
post-resurrection appearance of Christ. All of the others believed. Thomas resisted believing and has for
centuries exposed the doubt and unbelief that lurks in the human heart.
Many of us can identify with Thomas. While his
fellow disciples had already seen the
risen Christ, Thomas would not accept their testimony. The things he
looked for and insisted on in order to express faith are the same kinds of
things that produce doubt in our own day. Pulling back the dirt to expose
the roots of his doubt really exposes every doubter to the folly of his
unbelief.
Many people try to avoid owning up to the reality of their
unbelief. They can masquerade as true believers or put on a plastic smile
among the saints. But the agony of doubt and unbelief still resides their
souls. We cannot live with unbelief; at least we cannot live the life that God
desires for us. Doubt robs of us of the joy of Christ. Doubt hinders our ability to witness to
others about the love of Christ.
Doubt destroys our ability to trust the sovereignty of God in every
situation.
It is easy to condemn Thomas for his unbelief and doubt of
the resurrection of his Lord, but I think we must not jump to condemnation too
fast. Perhaps doubt has lingered in our own hearts, depriving us of the
joy of salvation or troubling us with uncertainties about our own
salvation. Some of us doubt the love of God, or we doubt the ability of
Christ to truly forgive our sins.
Others may be doubting the fact that God is really in control. I don’t think there is a such a thing
as a Christian who has never once struggled with some kind of question or
doubt. How do we confront the doubt and unbelief in our own midst?
The story of Thomas should encourage us because it shows
us that although we may doubt Him, Christ will meet us at the place of our
doubts and reveal Himself to us. The cure for doubters is in the revelation
of Jesus Christ.
A tree is no stronger than its roots. If its roots
are rotting and decaying, then eventually, so will the tree. A couple of
years ago, I was caught by surprise one morning to see my neighbors massive 50
ft. willow tree completely toppled over.
The night before had been very windy and the gusts had actually uprooted
this huge tree. I could see the
decaying roots exposed and the reason for the tree’s collapse was obvious. The amazing thing was that nobody had a
clue how weak that tree really was until it fell, the leaves were green and it
appeared healthy and strong.
Jeff Frazier
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