What Thomas Almost Missed
Tony Nester
John 20:19-29
Of Jesus' twelve disciples Thomas is a favorite of mine. We aren't given nearly as much information about Thomas as we have about Peter, or James, or John. Paul, the late-comer of the Apostles, is well-featured in the New Testament with biographical details, reports of his travels, and several of his letters to various churches. But Thomas doesn't get anywhere near that kind of attention. And yet I like him. If I had to choose which disciple I most resemble it would be Thomas.
I'd like to think I could have been as loyal to Jesus as was Thomas. In John, Chapter 11 we read that Jesus announces his intention to go back to Judea to see Lazarus whom they've recently learned is gravely ill. But the disciples warn Jesus not to go. ''Rabbi, the Jews were just now trying to stone you, and are you going there again?'' (John 11:8 NRSV).
Jesus refuses to be dissuaded. He gives them a parable about being confident in the light of the world. And then he tells them that Lazarus is dead, and that this is an opportunity for them to grow in their faith. They are full of misgivings. The conversation ends with verse 16: Thomas, who was called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, ''Let us also go, that we may die with him.'' (NRSV).
Thomas was pessimistic about Jesus' decision, but he was wholly loyal to his Lord. Unlike Peter who promised loyalty to the death but denied Jesus three times, Thomas was devoted to the death.
Now, I can't say that I would have had the same courage and determination as Thomas, but I would have liked to have had the strength of his commitment to Jesus no matter what.
Then, in John 14:5 we have the next mention of Thomas. It comes at the Last Supper when Jesus encourages the disciples, telling them the familiar words, ''Let not your hearts be troubled. ... In my Father's house are many dwelling places. I'm going to prepare a place for you ... and you know the way to the place wher ...
Tony Nester
John 20:19-29
Of Jesus' twelve disciples Thomas is a favorite of mine. We aren't given nearly as much information about Thomas as we have about Peter, or James, or John. Paul, the late-comer of the Apostles, is well-featured in the New Testament with biographical details, reports of his travels, and several of his letters to various churches. But Thomas doesn't get anywhere near that kind of attention. And yet I like him. If I had to choose which disciple I most resemble it would be Thomas.
I'd like to think I could have been as loyal to Jesus as was Thomas. In John, Chapter 11 we read that Jesus announces his intention to go back to Judea to see Lazarus whom they've recently learned is gravely ill. But the disciples warn Jesus not to go. ''Rabbi, the Jews were just now trying to stone you, and are you going there again?'' (John 11:8 NRSV).
Jesus refuses to be dissuaded. He gives them a parable about being confident in the light of the world. And then he tells them that Lazarus is dead, and that this is an opportunity for them to grow in their faith. They are full of misgivings. The conversation ends with verse 16: Thomas, who was called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, ''Let us also go, that we may die with him.'' (NRSV).
Thomas was pessimistic about Jesus' decision, but he was wholly loyal to his Lord. Unlike Peter who promised loyalty to the death but denied Jesus three times, Thomas was devoted to the death.
Now, I can't say that I would have had the same courage and determination as Thomas, but I would have liked to have had the strength of his commitment to Jesus no matter what.
Then, in John 14:5 we have the next mention of Thomas. It comes at the Last Supper when Jesus encourages the disciples, telling them the familiar words, ''Let not your hearts be troubled. ... In my Father's house are many dwelling places. I'm going to prepare a place for you ... and you know the way to the place wher ...
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