If I Could Ask One Question of Thomas, I would ask “Where Were You That First Night of the Resurrection?”

“When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So 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.” A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” John 20:19-29

Thomas, where were you? Where was Thomas? The other disciples got the memo that they were gathering in the Upper Room that evening – the pressure was mounting – people were beginning to watch them – to make accusations against them. They needed to continue to meet, to pray, to wait. Most importantly, they needed to stay together. And so they gathered – and were praying. But someone had to notice that they were short one person. Where was Thomas?

Perhaps Thomas couldn’t get past the horrors of the cross. He was completely devastated by the death of Christ. We know that Thomas was one to question (remember John 14:5 “Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?”). Perhaps along with his questioning personality, he also had a pessimistic attitude. As such, perhaps he just didn’t believe Jesus was coming back. If Thomas believed Christ was going to show up at the meeting, he would have been there.

We know that grief, and the realization of failed dreams and purpose can cause us all to lose hope. And when we lose hope, we lose faith – and when we lose faith, we lose mission. Thomas just had witnessed three years of mission and ministry be nailed to a cross. So, knowing he wasn’t in the room with the other disciples – and missed the appearance of the resurrected Jesus – I would like to know where he was. That is my one question for Thomas. What is the one question you would ask him?

Pastor Dave