|
|
Poor Thomas!
He made one remark and has been branded as “Doubting Thomas” ever since. But
if he doubted, he also believed. He made what is certainly the most explicit
statement of faith in the New Testament: "My Lord and My God!" (see John
20:24-28) and, in so expressing his faith, gave Christians a prayer that
will be said till the end of time. He also occasioned a compliment from
Jesus to all later Christians: “Have you come to believe because you have
seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed” (John
20:29).
Thomas should be equally well known for his courage. Perhaps what he said
was impetuous—since he ran, like the rest, at the showdown—but he can
scarcely have been insincere when he expressed his willingness to die with
Jesus. The occasion was when Jesus proposed to go to Bethany after Lazarus
had died. Since Bethany was near Jerusalem, this meant walking into the very
midst of his enemies and to almost certain death. Realizing this, Thomas
said to the other apostles, "Let us also go to die with him" (John 11:16b).
|
|