“A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though 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; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:26-29
Notice two things about these verses. First,Thomas was still with the disciples in the midst of His doubt and two, the disciples let him doubt.
Up until this point,Thomas had experienced Jesus in many ways. But, here, he comes to a crisis of faith. His best friends had encountered the living Lord in a new and profound way, and He hadn’t. How many of you are like Thomas? You look at those around you and think, “Why is their experience’ with Jesus so much more real than mine?” Or, “I used to be passionate about following the Lord, but too much has happened, too much has changed. Why are others still on fire and I just want to give up?”
Now notice in verse 26, “A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them.” The big idea here, is that even in the midst of His real doubt, Thomas was still with the disciples. It was there that Jesus came to end His doubt. He didn’t leave the disciples; he didn’t walk out on the church! He didn’t say, “I’m out of here” and go hang out with the other “doubters” of Jesus and find refuge there. No, he stayed with the disciples. And while he doubted, in their midst, Jesus came. If that is you today, stay here and doubt. Just like He did with Thomas, Jesus WILL COME!
Notice also, that the disciples allowed Thomas to doubt. Imagine how easy it could have been for them to freeze Tommy out of the club! But, instead, we see the exact opposite. Thomas was WITH the disciples in his doubt. Which means that they loved Him. They embraced him. They no doubt prayed for him. They involved him and they surrounded him, while he wrestled with his “absent” Jesus. The disciples were not thwarted by Thomas’ doubt, because they knew what they had seen. They knew they had met Jesus. They were strong in their faith.
Here is what this means for us. Christian, when you come upon someone who is wrestling with their faith, I implore you to love the doubters around you. Bring them in. Invite them to witness your life, your love, your God. Do not be thwarted by their doubt. You know the One in whom you have placed your faith. Pray for them, surround them, and allow for them to wait. Whether you are a doubter or a disciple who is completely on fire, Jesus will meet you there.
Loving the doubters,
Steele
Posted in A Word from the Pastor