“After Jesus had said this, he departed and hid from them. Although he had performed so many signs in their presence, they did not believe in him. This was to fulfill the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “Lord, who has believed our message, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” And so they could not believe, because Isaiah also said,  “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, so that they might not look with their eyes, and understand with their heart and turn—and I would heal them.”  Isaiah said this because he saw his glory and spoke about him.  Nevertheless many, even of the authorities, believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they did not confess it, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved human glory more than the glory that comes from God. Then Jesus cried aloud: “Whoever believes in me believes not in me but in him who sent me. And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. I have come as light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in the darkness. I do not judge anyone who hears my words and does not keep them, for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. The one who rejects me and does not receive my word has a judge; on the last day the word that I have spoken will serve as judge, for I have not spoken on my own, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment about what to say and what to speak.  And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I speak, therefore, I speak just as the Father has told me.” John 12:36-50

“Nevertheless many, even of the authorities, believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they did not confess it, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved human glory more than the glory that comes from God.” Does that not speak to the human condition regarding Christianity – that people are embarrassed to talk about their faith because they are afraid of what others might think or say. They are afraid that if they talk too much about Jesus, others will call them “Jesus Freaks.” What we forget is one of the best ways to tell people about Jesus is to live the Christ-like life. We can tell people a lot about our faith simply by loving others, treating others with kindness, and allowing the love and compassion of Christ to be our guide. 

Attending church every Sunday is what most people did three generations ago. There was not much else to do on Sunday so most of the community could be found in the church. Now there are too many soccer, football, and baseball games, including wrestling tournaments and street fares to attend. If the church is going to reclaim some space in weekend schedules again, then the church must continue to find ways to make G-d relevant again – and also find ways to defeat the other gods of our society: the gods of stress, social status, and unattainable dreams. G-d is not dead – G-d has just been replaced by other gods.  

Pastor Dave

So the other disciples told (Thomas who was not present at the first appearance of the risen Lord), “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

Thomas is accused of being a doubter. Unfair? Probably, but this is the lasting image that many have of Thomas. He did not believe the other disciples when they said they had seen the Lord, and as such, he is accused of being a doubter – of lacking faith. Now if we doubt, and we voice that doubt, is it fair that others may accuse us of being “doubters”? I think it is unfair, because, from my perspective, questioning leads to more understanding, not less. I will admit, I have wondered why it seemed so difficult for Thomas to believe.  After all, he had the testimony of all the other disciples — wasn’t that good enough for him?  But over time the doubt and disbelief of Thomas made more and more sense to me, because his doubt became my doubt. 

Over time my questions have shifted. Rather than wonder why Thomas struggled to believe, I wondered why Jesus seemed to answer him so harshly.  After all, Thomas only asks for what the other disciples had already received.  Have you ever noticed that? After Jesus greets them, he shows them his hand and his sides. Why? To prove that he wasn’t a ghost or apparition or someone that merely looked like Jesus — rather the one who had been nailed to the cross and pierced in the side was the same one who now stood in front of them, raised from the dead. And so Thomas asks for the same thing. So why the rebuke from Jesus? Maybe, just maybe, our gospel writer is holding up Thomas as an example of how even the most skeptical and hardened realist can come to faith. For after hearing Jesus’ invitation to faith, Thomas makes the great confession of John’s Gospel, calling him not just “my Lord” but also “my God.” Again, his questioning leads to more understanding.

My friends, ask the questions that are on your mind as you read the bible and as you encounter your faith. Do not be afraid to be seen as a “questioner” or as a “doubter”. I worry about the ones who have no questions more than I worry about the ones who have the courage to ask the questions probably everyone has on their minds — but not everyone is willing to dare to ask.

Pastor Dave