(I) Background
The Bible mentioned nothing about Thomas background. His origins were unknown. We knew that he is a fisherman, since we see him included with Peter and five other disciples who returned to fishing in John 21.
Thomas was ranked a seven in the listing in Matthew 10: 1 - 4 (probably out of humility by Matthew) and an eight in both Mark 3: 13 - 19 and Luke 6: 12 - 16.
Thomas is also known as Didymus, which in Greek mean twin.
Although his ranking is meager, there is still a lot we can learn from him.
(II) Readiness to die for the LORD. (John 10: 31 - 39, 11: 1 - 6)
The disciples were dead afraid to go back to Judea as they perceive that there will be a risk to their lives if they do so as Jesus was nearly killed by the Jews. In this passage, Lazarus had just passed away and his sisters, Mary and Martha was urging Jesus to go back to save Lazarus. Thomas response was distinct from the rest of the disciples, he was willing to die a martyrdom. This exemplified Thomas love, selfless scarification for Jesus. In stark contrast with Peter which had claimed to defend Jesus while he denied Jesus thrice before the cock called, Thomas mean his words and this shows the evidence of a life devoted to the will of God. Can we answer the same to God pleas?
(III) Honest Questions (John 13: 31 - 14:6)
Thomas was honest about his apparent lack understanding to the true meaning of Jesus exhortation in John 14:1 "Let not your heart be troubled" which was meant to comfort his disciples. Jesus did not chide Thomas but rather, comforted him with explanation that he could be reassured. Hence, let us follow Thomas example and seek detailed clarifications in instances where we are not clear in and we ought not to avoid seeking clarifications for the sake of our pride.
(IV) Faith founded on Fact (John 20: 19 - 28)
This was one of the most infamous text of Thomas. The cliche "doubting Thomas" is being born out of this text. Thomas indeed seek clarifications about Jesus resurrection and he will like to see concrete proof. ( John 20: 25, 27). This is no different from the reactions of the other disciples when they first heard the fact that Jesus had being resurrected. Although not clearly described in this passage which lead to the misnomer "doubting Thomas", the other disciples had indeed not believed the very same fact too in Luke 24: 36 - 41! Jesus shown all 12 of the disciples the same proof, and it is Thomas alone who reckoned it immediately and demonstrated uppermost faith by saying "My God and my LORD". Hence, let us have faith in God, and not blind faith but faith based on facts stated so clearly in the Bible and pray to God for him to open our eyes to see the true faith indeed.
(V) Applications
Ask yourselves these questions
- Can you think of a time when you struggled with doubts about the faith?
- Around what did your doubts revolve?
- How do you deal with those doubts?
- In what context you have such doubts in?
- Have you talked to other people about such doubts and what are the results?
Thomas showed us that Jesus do not abhor doubters and will be honest to people whom present their doubts sincerely to. Let us take our doubt to the Lord also!
Take some time to craft a prayer to confess our doubts to God and help to edify us.
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