Dear Members and Friends of St. John,
On April 23, the Sunday after Easter, the traditional assigned
Gospel lesson for St. John and many Christian churches is John 20:19-31. Many know this Scripture lesson as the story
of “Doubting Thomas.” However, the older
I get the more I dislike that title for this disciple of Jesus. Yes, Thomas doubted
Jesus’ resurrection. But often this term is used in a way that speaks
critically of this man of faith. There
is so much more to this event in Thomas’ life.
As a man of faith myself, who has experienced life for over
60 years, I have learned that most of us have doubts from time to time. We have questions. Especially in the middle of times of trouble
we wonder where God is in our lives.
Thomas
had actually been a man of bold faith among the disciples. In John 11, before Jesus travels to raise and
heal Lazarus, Jesus tells his disciples of Lazarus’ death. Jesus also lets them know he is going back to
Bethany, near Jerusalem, where Lazarus lived.
The other disciples wonder why Jesus would return to this area after the
religious leaders of the day had recently tried to kill him. But Thomas speaks up in courage, and
encourages the others to follow Jesus. "Let
us also go, that we may die with him." (John 11:16) Thomas trusted Jesus enough to believe Jesus
was worth dying for. Thomas showed real
faith and courage!
However,
Thomas’ faith was rocked to the core of His being when he saw Jesus arrested,
and when he saw Jesus tried unjustly, and when he saw Jesus brutally executed
on the cross. This man, Jesus, whom Thomas
followed and trusted to be the Son of God and promised Messiah was dead! How can God die? How can we follow a dead man? No wonder Thomas doubted. The other disciples doubted too before Jesus
appeared alive to them. Thomas simply
was not with the other disciples when Jesus appeared and showed them His
victory over death and sin and Satan. So
we have the account of Thomas’ famous declaration, "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." (John
20:25)
The older I get, and the more trials I have
faced, the more I understand this man we call “Doubting Thomas.” As I live my own life, and as I help others
as pastor, I sympathize with this man in his loss. I have faced trials, and helped others face
failure and loss and pain. Doubt and
questions are natural. But, I also know that
doubt today can be the seed of stronger faith tomorrow. When we go through loss and trouble and doubt,
and when we then see the hand of God for our trials, we are strengthened to
know God’s love more deeply.
I am encouraged that Jesus also seemed to
understand Thomas and treated him personally and gently. Thomas had told the other disciples that he
could not believe Jesus was alive until he saw Jesus himself. So, when Jesus appears to the disciples
again, this time while Thomas is present, Jesus speaks these words to
Thomas. "Put
your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side.
Stop doubting and believe."
Jesus understood Thomas’ hurt and grief. Jesus heard Thomas doubt. Jesus cares for this disciple. So, Jesus appears to Thomas personally and,
instead of scolding him, Jesus calls Thomas back to faith. "Put
your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side.
Stop doubting and believe." (John 20:27)
Please notice that Thomas responded with a
declaration of faith that is one we can seek to imitate. "My
Lord and my God!" (John 20:28)
Thomas not only trusted that Jesus is ruler and creator. Thomas declares that Jesus is his Lord. Jesus is His God!
If
you face loss and pain and trial, if you fail as you seek to follow Jesus,
please know that Jesus cares for you just as He cared for Thomas and loved
Him. That is why Jesus died on the
cross, because He loves you in the midst of your struggles. Don’t be ashamed of your doubt, but turn to God
and seek His love. He is there to help
you through the trials you face so that you are even stronger in living for Him
the next time you are tested.
Jesus
told Thomas, “Stop doubting and believe." What Jesus didn’t say, but did demonstrate in His actions
was “Thomas, I am with you, and I love you.”
I pray that seeing Jesus’ love and presence for Thomas, even in his
moment of doubt, can give each of us assurance when life stops us in our tracks
A Child of God, Comforted
by Jesus’ Love in Thomas’ Time of Doubt,
Pastor Rockey
P.S. We had
a blessed Holy Week at St. John. Here
are some pictures of Holy Week Activities
- Good Friday worship,
Passover Meal, Easter Festival - https://goo.gl/photos/dNxCd64DZpPsUgY59
- Easter Breakfast - https://goo.gl/photos/LfnkTRjB43s1sw1C8
- Some of our Easter
Musicians. https://goo.gl/photos/WLF9FkYm3pWNMzvC7
P.P.S. I did go fishing Monday. This was probably my
last ice fishing outing of this season. Here
are some pictures from a fishing trip on April 17 with Kym Miller.
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ABOUT ‘THOUGHTS FROM THE
PASTOR’ - I am sending these e-mail messages, hopefully weekly, to
all St. John members and friends whose e-mails I have. (I am regularly
adding new names of friends and members – in case you are just receiving this
e-mail for the first time.) However, if you don’t want to receive this
e-mail, please let me know, and I’ll gladly leave your name off my list for
this message.
******
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