Today I was listening to a new ZOE group album I'd found on Amazon Prime Music.
A line from the song The Bread Has Been Broken caught my ear..."Believe without touching the scars." I thought...Poor Thomas... imagine being the guy known for being loyal but a total pessimist...full of doubt.
I decided to take a look at it...
John 20: 24-29
"Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”
Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
I'd never considered the importance of this story being there...how it shows that the disciples weren't a bunch of gullible dopes who made up or dreamed the resurrection accounts. Frankly, most of the stories about them surrounding this time aren't flattering to them in any way. I mean, they all abandoned Jesus! And, this story shows that Jesus kinda had to convince them of his resurrection. They were reluctant to believe even with the evidence they could see. Without the account of doubting Thomas this passage wouldn't mean as much...
1 John 1:1
"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our own eyes, which we have gazed upon and touched with our own hands--this is the Word of life."
But the line of song is right too...We are so blessed to be granted faith to believe.
1 Peter 1:8
"Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with an inexpressible and glorious joy, now that you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls."
I also treasure Jesus' tenderness and compassion toward Thomas...offering him proof, instead of a rebuke. I know I too have a doubting heart...I am tempted, as Eve, to doubt God's goodness. I am so glad that I can run to my Savior with every doubt and be received with love and compassion...and proof from His Word of all He is!
Isaiah 43:1-4
Now this is what the LORD says—
He who created you, O Jacob,
and He who formed you, O Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name; you are Mine!
When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you go through the rivers,
they will not overwhelm you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be scorched,
and the flames will not set you ablaze.
For I am the LORD your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom,
Cush and Seba in your place.
Because you are precious and honored in My sight,
and because I love you,
I will give men in exchange for you
and nations in place of your life.
