Straight Thinking 021168 the Testimony of Thomas

Straight Thinking

021168

THE TESTIMONY OF THOMAS

Sunday. “Let’s go die with him.” “Doubting Thomas” refers to one of Jesus’ apostles. But notice his proposal to the other apostles as they were preparing to accompany Jesus on his death mission to Jerusalem. Rather than doubt, these words testify to notable faith and courage. His commitment to Jesus was not a fair-weather fancy; it prompted the determination to give his “last measure of devotion.” (Read John 11:16.)

Monday. “How can we know the way?” A student shows interest by asking questions. Thomas was no bump on a log when it came to learning what Jesus wanted him to know. He wasn’t afraid to reveal his ignorance either. We should find ourselves asking questions about God and the Bible, showing the concern kind of concern Thomas had. (Read John 14:1-6.)

Tuesday. “Unless I see . . . .” Thomas wanted firsthand assurance that Jesus had risen from the dead. Jesus rebuked him for his unwillingness to believe even his fellow apostles when they told him about the Lord’s appearance to them. The blind refusal to believe only what we have seen establishes an impossible demand about knowing, because we have to know far more than what we can personally experience. (Read John 20:29.)

 Wednesday. “Unless I put my finger into the print of the nails . . . .” Thomas was not satisfied with seeing. Maybe he wanted to be sure the apostles had not seen a ghost, especially since the appearance they referred to was behind barred doors. He couldn’t believe their eyes; he wanted the proof of his own touch. (Read John 20:19-20; Luke 24:25.)

Thursday. “Unless I . . . thrust my hand into his side, I won’t believe it.” He had watched the Roman soldier jam his spear into Jesus’ limp body to see whether he was dead; he had seen the blood and water drain down his side. No doubt he was dead. If Thomas could put his hand in that wound, he could have no doubt that Jesus was alive again. (Read John 19:33-34; 20:25.)

Friday. “My Lord and my God!” When Jesus appeared a week later to all eleven apostles, he offered to let Thomas to go ahead and put his finger into the nail print and his hand into the wound—and believe. The outcry came immediately, “My Lord and my God!” It was the “shout heard ’round the world!” and it still reverberates in our ears today. (Read John 20:26-28.)

Saturday. “These are written so you can believe.” Another apostle in the group Jesus appeared to that Sunday has given us this account of Christ’s encounter with Thomas; so, though we doubt like Thomas, we can see with his eyes, feel with his fingers, and believe John’s record that “Christ the Lord is ris’n today”! (Read John 20:30-31.)

Virgil Warren, Straight, February 11, 1968, p13.                                                                              christir.org