Eastertide
April 12, 2015

Scripture Reading: John 20:19-31

But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.’

 A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.’
— John 20:26-29

My childhood, best friend’s father was nicknamed “Fat.” He wasn’t. I never knew why he was called that. It wasn’t like calling someone who was heavy, “slim,” either. He was a regular sized man. Actually my dad was the one who called him “Fat.” They had known each other forever. I don’t remember really saying anything to him that would require me to call him anything. Even If I had needed to address him directly, my mother would never have allowed me to use his given name much less a nickname.

The lead character in our story today was assigned the nickname “Doubting Thomas” and he is still called that today. It really wasn’t fair. Thomas may have been the only one brave enough to say what others were thinking. Remember Thomas was the first disciple to step up to the plate when Jesus decided to go to Bethany upon hearing about Lazarus’ death. Thomas said, ‘Let us also go, that we may die with him.’ (John 11:16b)

Facing our doubts, getting them out in the open, is the quickest way of moving from the paralysis of uncertainty to empowering faith. Our world is in desperate need of empowering faith. So let us all deal with our doubts, our questions, and our quest for understanding. Let us do our best to present ourselves to God as one approved by him, workers who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth.*

Prayer: Lord, protect me from being paralyzed in my service to you and your Kingdom. Where and when I have doubt, give me the courage to face it. Amen.

*Paraphrased from 2 Timothy 2:15

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.