August 18 - Confirming Thomas

 Read today’s texts first: Jeremiah 26,35,36; John 20

MAXIMize YOUR DAY

When following Jesus, it’s not doubt but wisdom
to count the cost and confirm the evidence. 

Thomas, the disciple of Jesus, has an undeserved reputation. He has been unfairly labeled for the past 2,000 years as “Doubting Thomas.” I see him more as “Confirming Thomas,” seeking to understand the cost of following Jesus and making sure he was ready to make the ultimate sacrifice. In some ways he was far ahead of his fellow disciples.

There are only three recorded conversations involving Thomas in the Bible and we’ve just read all three in John’s gospel. The first was after Jesus decided to return to Bethany to attend to His dying friend, Lazarus. The disciples reminded Jesus about the Jews who had tried to stone Him the last time they were in Judea (11:6-8). It seems they were more concerned about their own safety (guilt by association), but Thomas, nicknamed the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let’s go, too – and die with Jesus” (11:16). He may have been saying it with some Jewish sarcasm in his voice, but he was at least aware that this road they were travelling may lead to their death.

The second occasion followed the promise Jesus made about going ahead to prepare a place for them (14:1-4). Then, Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”  That led to this wonderful statement, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (14:5,6). Again, Thomas was receiving personal assurance that following Jesus would lead to heaven.

His last interaction with Jesus became the source of his notorious nickname. After the resurrection, some of the other disciples said that they had seen the Lord. That’s when he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” A week later Jesus Himself appears to them and says personally to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”  Then Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” (20:25,27,28).

Thomas doubted no longer. He knew he could lay down his life, he knew the way to heaven, and he knew there was clear evidence for resurrection power! In fact, Thomas went on to become a missionary who left a legacy like no other in history. This story of St. Thomas, missionary to Kerala, India, continues 2,000 years later where close to half of the population of that Indian province are believers today, including two of our own residents at Buchanan (this message and their testimonies were shared in one of our chapel services). After planting seven churches in 20 years, Thomas did indeed lay down his life, killed by the spears of four local soldiers. “Lord, sometimes I do ask questions like Thomas, but I have come to the place where I can make his same confession, You are my Lord and my God!”