Giving Thomas Credit
Have you ever gone up to someone, say something, then feel really embarrassed because this person is actually a total stranger? Or do you have trouble keeping identical twins straight, resorting to the unique differences in twins--a part in the hair, voice pitch, or other quirks. The apostle Thomas does not want to go so far out onto a limb. He wants to see for himself that Jesus has risen. But before we judge him too harshly, let us see the importance of this account as reported by St. John.
St. John describes the apostle as Thomas (called Didymus). Both Thomas and Didymus mean "twin," so obviously this apostle was a twin. Thomas shared a common birthday and, apparently, common appearances with a sibling. No doubt Thomaswas all too familiar with mistaken identity. In his mind he probably did not doubt that his fellow disciples had seen someone that looked like the Lord. But Jesus had died. The Roman soldiers made sure that Jesus was dead before Pilate released the body to Jospeh for burial.. So if the Lord had been sited, it could very well be someone who bore a resemblance to Jesus, couldn't it?
While his fellow disciples were all excited about seeing their risen Lord, Thomas was more pragmatic. He wanted to see for himself and know by seeing and hearing his Lord. He would spot those distinguishing characteristics that belonged to Jesus alone. Then Thomas would know whether this was an imposter or not. He wanted to know by experiencing with his own senses whether this man his friends were talking about was actually Jesus or not. He wanted to make certain that this wasn't another instance of mistaken identity.
Thomas gets some bad publicity for his cautiousness. To this day those who need to be proven the facts are known as "Doubting Thomases." But Thomas provides an invaluable service for us. This was someone who was obstinate in his refusal to believe unless he saw. Yet at seeing his Lord, Thomas aknowledged that this man was Jesus. It confirms for us that Jesus indeed rose from the dead. The resurrection was not just another fairy tale or Hollywood story. St. Peter writes: "We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, BUT WE WERE EYEWITNESSES OF HIS MAJESTY."
The resurrection of Jesus has many applications in our life. We are assured of three things: sin, death and the Devil no longer have power over us,we will also rise from the dead, and have eternal life. As Christians we have the comfort that our parents, grandparents, sons and daughters and close friends will rejoin us in heaven.
Latest Articles