Thursday, April 28, 2011

Just who are you???

A common theme in the resurrection stories is that Jesus appears to those who are closest to him, that is the people who know and love him, but they do not recognize him. Mary at the tomb. The disciples on the road to Emmaus. Even the disciples in the upper room see him as ghost. So is it any wonder that Thomas, not having had the opportunity to 'see' Jesus as the others, demands physical proof.

In some ways Thomas' actions threaten us and that is one reason why we quite easily take the high ground of self-righteous indignation. "How dare Thomas make such a demand." "How pathetic is his faith." "Doubting Thomas". But the truth is, that like Thomas, we also struggle with the desire for proof. We want to pin down reasons for things. "Why did God allow this happen?" "How could a loving God do such a thing?" In the deep recesses of faith, even when times are good, the question of God, his existence, his purpose, still lurks. Like Thomas, unless we see the wounds and stick our hand into his side, we find it hard to believe.

Maybe we should thank Thomas...or see him as one disciple who is supremely honest. He voices his doubts and openly asks of God his hearts desire. And when Jesus confronts him that day, only Thomas exclaims and proclaims the fullness of Christ's divine nature and purpose...

"My Lord and My God!"

A little more Thomas in each of us might not be such a bad thing after all.

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