Doubt and Thomas

Scripture: John 20:19-31 (N.B. Acts 2:14a, 22-32; Pslam 16; and 1 Peter 1:3-9 also this day- Easter 2 Year B.)

Introduction.  

Labelling him ‘Doubting Thomas’ is unfair.  Thomas was the one who spoke up and said that the disciples should go to Jerusalem to die with Jesus.  Thomas missed Jesus because he was out while the other apostles were hiding!  He is the apostle who went furthest – to Iraq/Iran and then India.

Scripture.  

Key points about this passage:

V19.  Jesus says ‘peace be with you!’

Vv20-21. Jesus shows his wounds to the disciples – he is physically resurected; they are overjoyed.

V21. Again Jesus says ‘peace be with you!’ and commissions them.

V22. He breathes the on them saying ‘receive the Holy Spirit’.

V23. He grants his disciples authority to forgive sins – or not.

Vv24-29.  The bit about ‘doubting Thomas’:  

V24. Why wasn’t he with the disciples?

V29. Jesus reminds them that others must believe without physical proof. 

V30-31.  The purpose of this Gospel: signs for belief in Christ; and life in his name.

Context of this Passage.  

Chain of telling, doubt and then faith:

Mary of Magdala, Peter, nine apostles, then Thomas (combining Gospel accounts).

Jesus does not rebuke them.  Faith is not shown as automatic or blind. 

Spectrum of Faith.  

At one end is dogmatic total certainty, at the other dogmatic mystery.

Certainty, fundamentalism, won’t admit doubt or difficulty – oh dear.

Gospels are convincing because they don’t always show disciples (even Jesus) well! 

Contrary to the picture John shows; compare with ‘propaganda’ history.

Fundamentalism leads to brittle faith – it’s never ‘refined by fire’.

At the other end some over emphasise the ‘mystery’ of faith and God.

God is portrayed as a distant figure, elusive figure.

Contrary to God’s plan, Jesus identity/mission and the Gospels’ purpose!

Are these people afraid that they might have to take God at his Word?

Both extremes allow people to demand authority (fundamentalists) or attention (mystifiers).  Only God (merits full authority and attention) is God!

In the middle is real life.  Recently, I read a quote from a hospital chaplain who scorned his predecessor for saying ‘it’s part of God’s plan’ to bereaved parents: “I’d have punched him”.   Or “God moves in a mysterious way. His wonders to perform.”  SLAP!  Many people go through dark, dry times when God seems distant.  More experienced Christians mostly remember that they’ve passed through these times before, and they will come out the other side – but changed, and change is painful.  Trite sayings, of either variety don’t help, do they?  

Conclusion.  

The life of faith is not easy, automatic or without choice.  I’m not taking about Atheism/Agnosticism/Deism/Theism, or faith versus doubt.  I’m talking faith interacting with doubt, doubt reinforcing faith.  The life of faith is not ‘natural’; it required Jesus’ supernatural intervention to overcome sin and make it possible.