United Church in Tallahassee

²⁵So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.” John 19:25. 

It doesn’t matter that Thomas was no better and no worse than the average disciple who had difficulty believing that Jesus had risen.  It does not matter that tradition has him carrying the Gospel to India, where there still exists an order known as Christians of St. Thomas of India.  Nor does it seem to matter that this same tradition has Thomas suffering martyrdom for the faith.

Nope. Thomas will always be “The Doubter,” the on who demanded proof over faith.

Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe … (John 19:29)

Jesus’ response to Thomas is not necessarily scolding.

 I believe that tradition has made his response judgmental.   Blessed are those who mourn, blessed are those who thirst for righteousness … blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe …” Note that Jesus does not add “… and cursed are those who doubt …” 

So why does the Christian community put this negative “spin” on Thomas – and perhaps more importantly – on doubt?  I think perhaps that there have been those who look for easy answers.  Faith is not stationary, but moving and changing like a river.  Sometimes faith is easy.  …and sometimes faith is hard.

If we read through the Bible – especially the Psalms – we see evidence of our mothers and fathers in the faith doubting and questioning the acts of an always present God.

I think that the gift of Courageous Thomas, Honest Thomas, is his trust.  Thomas does not understand where the journey with Jesus will lead, but he is content in the assurance that Jesus will be with us on the trip.  His open questioning and doubt shows us that Jesus does not meet his doubts with scolding, but with grace. Doubts may not always lead to answers, but they almost always lead to growth.

 Thanks be to God for doubts, and fears and faith – and thanks be to God for the ways we live and grow and doubt and believe in humility and honesty and in the abundance of life.