Wednesday, June 2, 2021
by Reverend Dan on June 2, 2021“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.”
There is one disciple that has an undeserved reputation. At least in my book.
Actually, it’s a nickname. And you know nicknames – once said, they stick like flypaper. It’s Thomas. “Doubting” Thomas, to be precise. All the other disciples said they had seen the Lord, but Thomas wanted some tangible proof.
The reason I believe this is a bum rap is that like so many other times, Thomas was the only one willing to ask the question everyone else had. (You remember the teacher telling you, “Don’t be afraid to ask a question, chances are there are lots more people with the same questions.”)
We are a culture of proof. William Vandiver was a congressman who once said that eloquent speech on the floor of the House of Representatives wasn’t enough to convince him. He said, “You have to show me.” The state he represented? Missouri, the “Show Me” state.
And things like aliens, bigfoot, the Loch Ness monster, ghosts . . . some folks believe in them, but most want to see “the proof in the pudding.”
Even an associate of Jesus, someone who followed Him around for three years, wasn’t immune from having faith that was less than stellar at times. So, the next time you find yourself doubting, don’t beat up on yourself too bad. You’re not the first to do it, and you won’t be the last.
But please realize that at some point, when empirical data is not available, faith has to intercede. It is, after all, “the evidence of things not seen.”
Not everything God does is known by mankind. His ways are not our ways, and since our knowledge is limited like that view in a mirror dimly lit, we must take hold of the belief that He is in control, and all will be well. That, my friends, is faith.
I pray it is yours.
Eternal God forgive us for the times in our humanness that we doubt You. Give us faith, in Jesus’ name, AMEN.
