Second Sunday of Easter, April 27, 2003
Acts 3:12a, 13-15, 17-26 or Isaiah 26:2-9, 19; Psalm 111 or 118:19-24; 1 John 5:1-6 or Acts 3:12a, 13-15, 17-26; John 20:19-31.
It is unfortunate that the apostle Thomas is most associated with the negative aspects of today’ s gospel lesson so that the phrase “doubting Thomas” is commonly used, even by the biblically illiterate.
While the biblical witness regarding Thomas is thin, we do know that he was a man utterly dedicated to Jesus and one of considerable bravery. Earlier, when Jesus is informed of the illness of his friend Lazarus and announces he is going to him, there is some reluctance on the part of the disciples to go. It is most likely that they anticipated trouble from the authorities (which is indeed what happens). However, it is Thomas who declares that they should go and that when they do, they should go with a willingness to die. Far from weak and faithless, Thomas was strong and faithful.
Perhaps it was this same boldness and bravery that led him to be missing during the first appearance of Jesus on Sunday evening. The 10 were holed up, locked away in a room for “fear of the Jews,” but Thomas was not. Perhaps it is an indication of his courage that he was not paralyzed and hiding in fear.
The fact is that Thomas, when told the story of Jesus’ appearance, asks for no more proof than the other 10 had already received. John tells us that when Jesus appeared to the 10 it wasn’t until he showed them his hands and his side that they were glad. It wasn’t until the marks of his suffering were revealed that they recognized the Lord. Thomas asks for nothing more.
Further, when Thomas does see what he asked to see, his reaction is immediate and dramatic, for it is Thomas who accurately identifies Jesus as both Lord and God. It is Thomas who declares what the world so desperately wants to know: That God came and dwelt among us that we might be reconciled with him.
May we like Thomas be people of courage who declare to the world the lordship and deity of Jesus.
In his commentary on the fourth gospel, Archbishop William Temple cites “Jesus of the Scars” by Edward Shillito. It expresses not only the emotions of that upper room but also our experience of the risen Christ.
Look It Up
John 11:5-16 and John 14:1-7 give us more information about Thomas. What might these verses reveal about his character?
Think About It
How am I doing proclaiming the lordship of Jesus in my own life?
Next Sunday
Third Sunday of Easter, May 4, 2003
Acts 4:5-12 or Micah 4:1-5; Psalm 98 or 98:1-5; 1 John 1: 1-2:2 or Acts 4:5-12; Luke 24:36b-48
