We hope this week's devotional will encourage you in your spiritual walk.
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John 20:19-31 (NRSV)
19 When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 22 When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
24 But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 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.”
26 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.” 27 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.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 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.”
30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. 31 But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.
Devotional: Thomas, Man of Faith
We tend to think of this passage as being about ‘Doubting Thomas’ – but is that accurate? And would any of us have had unwavering faith in the circumstances?
Imagine the situation. After 3 years of following this charismatic, if somewhat controversial, leader around Galilee and Judea, it’s suddenly all over. Jesus is arrested and brutally killed, and everyone scatters in fear.
Gradually they regroup – fearfully, secretly, carefully. They cling to each other for support. But somehow at a significant moment Thomas isn’t with the others. Perhaps he has family commitments (after all it is the time of the Passover).
Next thing everyone is talking about how they have seen Jesus alive. BUT you haven’t. You weren’t there. You’ve missed out. You wonder if it’s true. But instead of keeping your thoughts to yourself, you blurt them out. Now everyone knows how you feel. And it seems the others have smugly forgotten their own doubts and fears.
But Jesus is patient – even if your mates aren’t. A week later you are with the others when Jesus shows himself again and invites you to touch his hands and side. Suddenly you don’t need to touch him. Seeing Jesus alive is enough. It’s enough to still all your fears and remove all your doubts. You proclaim in faith: “My Lord and my God!”
Focusing on the doubt of Thomas misrepresents him. Here at the end of John’s Gospel, Thomas declares that Jesus, the word made flesh (John 1:14) is not just a great teacher (Lord) but is truly God. This Thomas is no doubter – he is a man of great faith!
Prayer:
Loving Jesus, forgive us for the times we have failed you – in our thoughts, in our words, in our actions. Forgive us for when we have judged another’s actions and words from our perspective, without trying to understand theirs. Lord Jesus, help up to hold on to our faith even when life is tough.
This Easter season, may we each understand more fully what it means to acknowledge you as our Lord and our God. Amen.
Rev Pam Reed
Registrar and Student Support Tutor