Lessons from Doubting Thomas

Binhi sang Pagtuo

April 12, 2010

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings!

There are many stories after the resurrection of Jesus for he stayed for 40 days before his ascension. One of these stories was about Thomas.

Let me share four things that we can learn from the story of Thomas.

First, if we continue to miss to be with the gathered believers of Jesus, then we will continue to miss the blessings of God.

This is what happened to Thomas. John 20:19ff tells us that he was not with the disciples when Jesus appeared to them on Sunday night (the resurrection happened early on that day). He missed the commissioning of Jesus. He was not there when Jesus said, “As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you. Receive the Holy Spirit.”

How many times have we missed to be with the fellowship of the community of faith?

Second, we must trust the words of our fellow believers, and we ourselves must be trustworthy also.

Thomas did not trust the testimony of his fellow disciples. He did not believe their story that Jesus is alive and was with them. Thomas declared in front of them that he will not believe their words unless he can prove it by putting his hand on the wounds of Jesus. The 10 disciples must have felt very bad because after Judas betrayed Jesus, another one of their own is in doubt.

Let us be responsible with our words, and let us be held accountable with what we have said. Do we still have Palabra de Honor?

Third, Jesus is waiting patiently for us to believe.

Jesus had all the rights to be angry with Thomas. They were together for many years. He could have said, “Shame on you! We were together for many years yet you do not believe.” But when Jesus appeared to them, he still said, “Peace be with you. Put your finger here and do not be faithless anymore. Believe!”

Let us believe and be true to the pronouncement of Jesus, “Believe are those who believe without seeing me.” Do we still doubt?

Fourth, let us be ready to humble ourselves, admit our mistakes and declare that Jesus is our Lord and our God.

Thomas, when confronted with the reality of the resurrection, was humble enough to exclaim that Jesus is his Lord and God. The proof of this turnaround from doubt to faith is found on his commitment to spread the good news of Jesus to other parts of the world. Church history tells us that Thomas went to India and established a church there in 52 AD. About 20 years after the death and resurrection of Jesus, the gospel takes root in India. Until now the St. Thomas Church in North Paravur, India still stands.

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Assistant Chaplain