|
Thomas, the
Doubter, or the Brave?
A sermon based on John 20:19-31
by Rev. Frank Schaefer
What we’re
known for by others is often not what we’re really about. People are funny
that way, they remember what stands out to them and characterize a person
according to that experience—most of the time by a failure or mistake of
some sort.
I painfully
realized that on one of my recent visits back home. Apparently, back in
Alzey, Germany, I’m still known by some as the boy who nearly burned down
the village. It is true, my friends and I lit a field on fire by accident.
But to be defined by something that happened so long ago, felt really
strange.
Yes, it was
a mistake with almost disastrous consequences; yes, my friends and I
should not have started a camp fire in the dry season, and yes it took the
whole village to put out the fire. But I was in the third grade, for
heaven’s sake; and what about my almost impeccable life before that time?
And what about my life afterwards, the fact that I devoted my life to the
ministry, and the good things I have done for so many folks since? No
mention of if. In Alzey, Germany, I’m the boy who nearly torched down the
village.
The same
could be said of the apostle Thomas. Honestly, what is the first thing
that comes to your mind when Jesus’ disciple Thomas is mentioned?
“Doubting
Thomas,” that’s right, that’s his identifier. But does that really
characterize Thomas fairly? No, not at all! In fact, Thomas was one of the
bravest Christians, a very insightful theologian; he had a burning desire
to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to the farthest ends of the world.
He was the only apostle to venture beyond the Roman Empire to bring the
gospel to India and the Parthian Empire.
In
John 11:16,
when Lazarus has just died, none of the other apostles wanted to go back
to Judea where people had attempted to stone Jesus to death. But Thomas
bravely said: "Let us also go that we may die with him." Why don’t
we know this incredible statement of Thomas’ unwavering faith? Obviously,
Thomas was unafraid to die for his faith and indeed he did die as a martyr
for Christ later in his life. And yet, church history continues to define
him in terms of “Thomas, the Doubter” because of one moment of weakness.
As the saying goes: “Thomas will never live that one down.”
And so, we commemorate the
apostle Thomas this morning (the second Sunday of Easter is actually his
day) with the Scripture passage that tells of his doubt
[John. 20:24–29]
Yes, he doubted the resurrection of Jesus and demanded to touch Jesus'
wounds before being convinced.
Imagine, missing one Sunday,
and coming back to hear “Guess who showed up while you were gone?” Jesus!
Would you believe it? Thomas gets the title “doubter” even though
he’s not the only one who is from the Missouri state (the “show me”
state). Peter, for one, doesn’t believe the women when they tell about
Christ’s body missing from the tomb. So he runs and checks things out for
himself.
I think Thomas’ question
rather showed that he was honest. He did not want to lie and say that he
understood something that he did not understand; or that he believed
something he could not believe.
A
couple of days later, as the disciples are gathered again, Thomas does get
to see Jesus alive and he exclaimed, "My Lord and my God!"
I think it
is remarkable that it is from Thomas's mouth that we hear for the first
time in the New Testament a statement of the divinity and humanity of
Jesus, according to the teaching of the Orthodox Church.
What can we
learn from Thomas and this gospel passage from John? My feeling is that
God wants us to be honest with ourselves and with God. God wants us to ask
those questions that we harbor. Do you trust God this morning? Perhaps
you have harbored doubts and questions for many years and felt bad about
even having them. This morning God is saying: come to me my child, give
me all your questions and even your doubt, like Thomas did.
Don’t turn
away; don’t stay away, but come to me with all your questions and even
your doubts. I want to hear them, I want to listen to you; I want you to
grow in trust even if you don’t get all the answers.
I’m not a prominent
theologian or historian, but I for one will make a statement today that
aims at rectifying Thomas’ reputation. I am renaming him “Thomas, the
brave” for being courageous enough to express his true feelings—not out of
cynicism but because he wanted to understand and believe. Amen.
|
