Thought of the Day- Reflecting on the Apostle Thomas

“Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” John 3:25

A greater majority of us will see today as the last day of the lockdown because of the Corona Virus. Tomorrow, on the 4^th July, a lot of places will reopen. For many who like going to the pubs, it would be an end to the long awaited time for an alcoholic drink in public, for others it is a time of doubt and great uncertainty despite scientific advice that the R- formula is down and that it is safe to go out again. It would be a time to remember old friends and acquaintances who have been called to the heavenly lodge above. The apostle Thomas whose feast day we celebrate today (3^rd. July) would have belonged to the group of doubters who needed clear and compelling evidence that, all is good again.  

Thomas, was one of the Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. Many would remember him as, the “doubter” because of his statement from John 3: 25 that “unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were and put my hand into his side, I will not believe”. 

Thomas was called Didymus, Greek for Twin and before this statement marking him as doubter, had made other doubting statements like at the last supper in John 14: 5 where he said to Jesus; “Lord, we do not know the where you are going. How can we know the way?  This caused Jesus to reply with one of the “I am statements” that is: I am the way, the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me”.  Let me confirm at this point that, the phrase “I am” is the name of God as we see in Exodus 3: 14 and that confirms the deity of Jesus. 

The opposite of doubt to me is faith or trust and as we all know every “twin” will have an identical sibling. Thomas- the doubter, had his doubts completely taken away when he saw the Lord the Sunday after the resurrection and Jesus said to him “put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”, thus leading Thomas to say “My Lord and my God!” (John 20: 27-28).  The removal of the doubts of doubtful Thomas, strengthened him and made him became more of a faithful Apostle able to take the message of the gospel to the far East, further than any other Apostle. Thomas fought with his insecurities and uncertainties and won! What a transformation that Jesus’ word can have! Jesus after saying this statement to Thomas went on to say something more important for you and I today and that is: “blessed are those who have not seen, yet believe”. Those of us who were not physical witnesses to the wounds of Jesus yet believe that he suffered, died and rose again for us, have even more blessing and are assured of a place with our Lord we believe that he is the way, the truth and giver of eternal life. So friends, let us hold fast to our hope in our Lord and if we do, we would certainly obtain the promises that he made to all of us at the last supper, that “He is the Way, the Truth and the Life”. Amen.

Collect for the Day. Almighty God, who for the firmer foundation of our faith allowed your holy Apostle Thomas to doubt the resurrection of your son till word and sight convinced him, grant to us, who have not seen, that we also may believe and so confess Christ as our Lord and our God; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.