“But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. ²⁵ 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.”²⁶ 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.” ²⁷ 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.” ²⁸ Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” ²⁹ 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 20:24-29

As readers and biblical scholars have examined the gospel stories over the years, the emphasis in which they are interpreted has also changed.  When I was growing up, I always heard people talk about the story of the “Prodigal Son.”  The interpretation of the story fell on the actions of the son who “comes to himself” and returns to his father seeking forgiveness.  Now, today, the emphasis is not on the Son but on the father and the text is referred to as the “Forgiving  Father.”  The text is more likely to be interpreted on the actions of the Father who comes running to the son to accept back the one who comes to himself.  The same is true about this text.  As I was growing up, I always heard this text referred to as the “Doubting Thomas” story.  The interpretation of the story most likely was on the reaction of Thomas who doubts the appearance of Jesus and needs to have physical proof – he must see it with his own eyes.  Thomas is therefore vilified for his “lack of faith.”  Today, you are just as likely to hear this story referred to as the “Confessing Thomas” story – interpreted on the actions of Jesus who comes to those who do not believe – who allows and even blesses those who are searching in their faith. Just because we are called to believe, well that does not mean that we cannot  question what they hear and believe. It is my opinion that a searching faith allows a person to fight through their doubts about Jesus – and then confess him as “My Lord and My God

Pastor Dave

²³ When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four parts, one for each soldier. They also took his tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from the top. ²⁴ So they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see who will get it.” This was to fulfill what the scripture says, “They divided my clothes among themselves, and for my clothing they cast lots.” John 19:23-24

A criminal of the Roman government was escorted to the place of execution by a quaternion – a group of four soldiers. One of the benefits for the soldiers was the collection of the clothes of the victim. Every Jew wore five articles of apparel–his shoes, his turban, his girdle, his tunic, and his outer robe. There were four soldiers, and there were five pieces of clothing. As such, they gambled for them, each getting his pick and the inner tunic was left. It was seamless, woven all in one piece. To have it cut into four pieces would have been to render it useless, and so they gambled again to see who would possess it.

Something to consider in this vivid picture is this — the soldiers were gamblers; and in a sense, so was Jesus. He staked everything on his utter fidelity to G-d; he staked everything on the Cross. This was his last and greatest appeal to us all; his last and greatest act of obedience towards G-d. We too are called to stake everything on our faith in Jesus Christ – and to be willing to die for that obedience.

Pastor Dave