Some of us were raised in an
atmosphere that said to doubt was tantamount to being pagan. Nineteenth-century
theologian and scientist Henry Drummond made a distinction between a doubter
and an unbeliever, which I find helpful: a doubter is a person who searches for
God with a thousand questions; while an unbeliever is apathetic to God. – Sarah
Webb Phillips
This Sunday is so universally given to showing us our likeness to Thomas, that the first reading
and epistle might best stand as harmony for the main song of John's Gospel rather than serving
as focal texts.
John 20:19-31
The theme of this periscope, so
often associated with Thomas, is not doubt—but, rather, faith. Faith in the
risen Christ comes to each believer in his or her own way. And, quite honestly,
it rarely, if ever, springs forth full-grown in any disciple without a measure
of struggle.
Notice that on the evening of “that
day”—the first Easter Sunday, the day of the resurrection revelation—the
disciples are gathered behind locked doors “for fear of the Jews.” Old habits
and inhibitions to our faith die quite hard, even in the face of the
astonishingly good news that Jesus is alive!
Jesus appears miraculously in the
midst of the fearful followers, a sign that is consistent with John's gospel
and its concern to demonstrate the power of God present in the life of Jesus.
Christ's message is peace; he seeks to put them at ease, to calm their doubts
and soothe their jangled nerves. He speaks the words of blessing twice (“Peace
be with you”). Sometimes, we just don't get it the first time!
Notice that, before Thomas ever
enters the scene and makes his special request, Christ shows them his hands and
side. Again, we have often cast aspersion on poor Thomas for refusing to
believe without a visible sign. Yet, here is Jesus, making himself known in a
very tangible way to disciples in need of some flesh-and-blood reassurance. . .
.
Some time later, when the disciples
attempt to persuade Thomas, who missed the meeting with Jesus, of these things,
he utters his bold assertion: “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his
hand … I will not believe!” On the next Sunday evening, Thomas gets his
wish. The Lord appears again, with the same blessing (“Peace be with you”) and
heads straight for Thomas. Immediately, he offers the headstrong disciple the
very proof he desires; intently, Christ brings Thomas to face the crux of his
personal dilemma of faith.
Evidently, Thomas never needs to
touch the nail-prints in Jesus’ hands. Instead, he kneels and proclaims, “My
Lord and my God!” Seeing is enough for Thomas; his crisis is resolved. Yet
Jesus speaks to all those who would come after Thomas, even to those of us who
hear the story yet again today.
The real blessing—which is the
peace of Christ—is found by those who neither see with their eyes nor touch
with their hands, but who still find a way to believe. Still, and always, the
risen Christ comes to us behind the locked doors and in the doubt-filled crisis
moments of our lives. His sure word to us: “You don't have to doubt; you can
believe.” – John P. Fairless
Acts 5:27-32
The apostles, serving as the witnesses, will
not be intimidated by the preaching police. They are our exemplars, the
siblings who nudge us into proclamations right along with them, although in our
own venues and in our own ways. Since we are not all street preachers like
Peter, it may help listeners to hear the many ways people of faith make our own interpretation and understandings known.
Revelation 1:4-8
John’s writing names all the people in the churches to whom
he sends his vision “priests serving… God…” All of Jesus’ followers constitute “a
dominion,” a realm ruled by the one who brings peace. Some of Jesus’ followers
write visions (we might just as well call it poetry or hymn lyrics); others
teach children how to do math or tie shoes. In the great range of ways we each
contribute to the peacefulness of Earth, we are witnesses. Preach that!
We do not do our witnessing in perfect faith, but in
knowledge that Thomas’s proclamation was the truth, and we share it––even on
the days when we are in doubt.
Sara Webb Phillips
is a United Methodist minister serving North Springs UMC in Sandy Springs,
Georgia.
John P. Fairless
is senior minister of the First Baptist Church of Gainesville, Florida.
Homily Service 40, no. 5 (2007): 55-66.
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