(not so) Doubting Thomas
The problem with life sometimes is that people only remember the dumb things you do. They remember the times you weren't at your best or the times when you put your foot in your mouth or the times when you just totally screw up. It's probably because it makes them feel better for their own mistakes. But sometimes, I wish people would remember the good and great things. Because that is what makes people real. This is true for the disciple Thomas (called Didymus).
Everybody knows the story of when Thomas doubted that Jesus was alive until he could feel his scars. We all can relate to that feeling of doubt. But the question is, can we relate to the level of courage Thomas had? In John 11:1-16, Jesus has just heard about his friend Lazarus being ill and dying. When the time was right Jesus told them he wanted to go back into Judea (where he had almost been stoned about a week before). His disciples reminded Him of this but Jesus reminded them that he had to go to Lazarus so that they may believe. This was a lot to ask of His followers. They all knew that it was dangerous to go back to within a few miles of an angry mob waiting to kill Jesus. Actually, they knew there was a real chance that mob would kill them too. But this is where Thomas chimes in (vs. 16) with, "Let us also go, that we may die with him."
This was guts. He stood up to his group of friends urging them to go with Jesus to death. In our journey of faith as disciples, we have been given other disciples that are following Jesus as well. To be a disciple looks like what Thomas did in verse 16. It looks like following Jesus where ever He may go as well as encouraging others to follow Jesus as well. This year, take a look at what kind of disciple you are: Are you doubting or courageous? Are you courageous to encourage other disciples to follow Christ all the way? Are you ready to follow Christ all the way? God has given you this courage for this purpose. Let's go fellow follower, that we may go where our Lord goes... even to death!
Everybody knows the story of when Thomas doubted that Jesus was alive until he could feel his scars. We all can relate to that feeling of doubt. But the question is, can we relate to the level of courage Thomas had? In John 11:1-16, Jesus has just heard about his friend Lazarus being ill and dying. When the time was right Jesus told them he wanted to go back into Judea (where he had almost been stoned about a week before). His disciples reminded Him of this but Jesus reminded them that he had to go to Lazarus so that they may believe. This was a lot to ask of His followers. They all knew that it was dangerous to go back to within a few miles of an angry mob waiting to kill Jesus. Actually, they knew there was a real chance that mob would kill them too. But this is where Thomas chimes in (vs. 16) with, "Let us also go, that we may die with him."
This was guts. He stood up to his group of friends urging them to go with Jesus to death. In our journey of faith as disciples, we have been given other disciples that are following Jesus as well. To be a disciple looks like what Thomas did in verse 16. It looks like following Jesus where ever He may go as well as encouraging others to follow Jesus as well. This year, take a look at what kind of disciple you are: Are you doubting or courageous? Are you courageous to encourage other disciples to follow Christ all the way? Are you ready to follow Christ all the way? God has given you this courage for this purpose. Let's go fellow follower, that we may go where our Lord goes... even to death!
posted by Ryan at 8:19 AM
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