Bildeston Baptist Church
real people, real life, real hope
Graeme’s Page May 2008
Read other pages Graeme has written
Who Are You?
Did you have a nickname at school? If so, was it one of your own choosing or one that you were happy being called?
Jesus called 12 disciples, one of whom was Thomas, but what do we remember about him? His famous nickname is doubting Thomas, because when the other disciples saw Jesus and later told Thomas, he doubted (John 20.19-29). The gospels mention Thomas 3 other times.
When Jesus called Thomas to be one of his disciples, it mentions that his nickname was Didymus which means twin (Matthew 10.3). Twins share a special bond and all the more so 2000 years ago where family units lived together for generations. Thomas would have never of expected to be far away from his twin, but then he met Jesus. Thomas left a close family tie to follow Jesus so why don’t we remember him as sacrificial Thomas?
On another occasion Jesus was going to return to
Shortly before his arrest, Jesus explains to his disciples that he must go to the father, but that when he had gone that he would send the Holy Spirit to be with them and to guide them in life. When Jesus says he is going to the Father, Thomas replies: ‘But we don’t know where you are going’ (John 14.5). Thomas was willing to ask what everyone else was thinking, so why don’t we remember him as honest or helpful Thomas?
Finally back to the infamous doubting episode. Imagine how Thomas felt when he returned and the others said they had seen Jesus. Of course he wanted to believe it was true, but who can blame him for doubting? After all people don’t often come back to life! Of course Jesus did explain it to them, that on the third day he would rise again, but it is also worth noting that everyone who met the risen Jesus was surprised, none of them expected Jesus to come back to life What amazes me is Thomas’ faith. He says ‘unless I see nail marks and touch them, I won’t believe’ but then when Jesus appears to him Thomas can only worship as he says; ‘my Lord and my God’. When he meets the risen Jesus, he no longer requires the proof that he thought he needed and he is the first person to acknowledge that Jesus is God. (Having doubts is normal and can actually be healthy, because when we overcome them our faith is made stronger). So why don’t we remember him as Thomas the man of faith?
Thomas was an amazing person and we should see him for who he really was and not in the light of one moment of human weakness. As you are reading this, you need to realise too that you are an amazing person and you should see your life as it is and not just not in the light of one moment of human weakness. As we think about the people we know too, we have to acknowledge that they too are amazing people made in Gods image and we must choose not to view them in the light of one moment of human weakness
Graeme
Office Address:
Duke Street,
Bildeston,
Suffolk