Eastertide 2012
John 20:24-31
Jesus Appears to Thomas
24Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25So 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."
26A 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!" 27Then 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."
28Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"
29Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
Most of us are familiar with this particular interaction between the Risen Christ and Thomas. Few of us haven't heard the phrase "doubting Thomas", referring to those who don't have enough faith to believe when there isn't clear evidence.
I think you know we shouldn't dismiss too readily those who have doubts and questions. In fact, their honest questions press us about our own understanding of the faith and their expressed doubts might just open the door to some deep spiritual dialogue.
Note here in the text that Jesus doesn't seem to belittle Thomas for his doubt or ignore his skepticism; in fact, he seeks to show Thomas that he has indeed risen. In other words, Jesus receives Thomas' honest challenge and seeks to respond to it. I don't think God is bothered by our honest questions; I think He in fact sees them as an avenue by which we stay connected to Him.
In the end, of course, Jesus does tell Thomas, Stop doubting and believe. When all the dust settles of the honest questions and the sincere doubts, our journey is indeed a journey of faith. Science and logic can aid our faith journey and even properly glorify God; but in the final analysis we are people of faith or we are not.
I continue to wish for you and me a joyous and enriching Eastertide season!
