I've been thinking about Thomas from the Bible. I do admit that I still have some more research to do, but this is what I'm thinking now.
We have always been taught the negative of him. How he doubted Christ's resurrection, and needed to see proof.
Well, he did doubt. But this is the thing I'm thinking...
His savior and friend and teacher has just been murdered by the Romans.
I have wondered what the "word on the street" was, did the followers of Christ, as I'm sure people knew who they were, did they get taunted, or persecuted???
Rumors, I'm sure, abounded especially with the "disappearance" of the body and all.
So, would I need to also have "proof"? Yes, I know I would. If I was alive then, I would have been doubting Julie.
Blessed are those who believe and not seen (my wording). I do believe what I have read and been taught about Christ and His resurrection. To me it's easy, but other things I need "proof" Why?
We let God save our souls and secure us eternally, but freak out that we might not be able to pay our bills. I have more study and thinking to do. What do you think?
6 comments:
I like to think about the camaraderie among the group of disciples. What did Thomas think when the group came and told him that Jesus was alive? "Huh uh! You guys are pulling my leg again. Prove it!" I never see Thomas as the weak person we sometimes portray him to be. I think he was a concrete thinker.
When Jesus wanted to go to Jerusalem and the disciples said, "we can't. they want to kill you." Thomas said, "Let's go and die with him."
Thomas was a good guy. Thomas was human. We all cut Peter a break, but don't tend to do the same for Thomas.
I've also thought that perhaps he just didn't want to get his hopes up. I'll believe it when I see it because I don't want to be disappointed again...
I have to look and see, but last night I was thinking that the other disciples had to see Jesus also, or at least see that He was gone. I don't think they took someones word for it. ?
Without doubt, how can faith blossom? I think of doubt as the water to faith's seed.
I would have been a doubting Robin too... or an Eve who tempted her husband with the forbidden fruit.
Thomas was not present when Jesus came to the disciples, so it seems they had their evidence before Thomas did.
Robbie - interesting point you bring up. I've heard that without fear you can't have courage, etc... so it makes sense what you said.
My brother in law, who was a POW during WW2, said that "real courage is doing what needs to be done even though you're scared to death." He said that the men who claimed to not be scared were lying or really stupid. Thomas had real courage.
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