On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. (John 20:19-31, ESV)
Most of us who have been to worship before have heard this verse and the title it is traditionally known by, Doubting Thomas.
But I wonder why were the 10 locked in the room? And where was Thomas?
If they all actually feared for their lives would they not either all stay together or all be alone? Safety in numbers or better off by themselves…
But Thomas is not there. He is out of the room…
And where we do not know, and doing what we do not know…
But because he questioned the others when he did returned he gets the rap for doubting and sets up the thought that doubting or questioning is bad.
Questioning God is not wrong and seeking a clear understanding is not wrong. God calls us to know the truth and not just blindly follow what others tell us.
Thomas needed to understand himself, and confessed without touching. But blessed are we who seek answers and find them without seeing.
So question and seek, trusting in the truth of God.
aSacredRebel 