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Thomas, who was called the Twin, said to his fellow-disciples, ‘Let us also go, that we may die with him.’ (John 11:16)
Dear Friend, Joyous Friday! Here's praying this finds you blessed and praying this will add to your blessings to overflow, that you may bless others.
Some believe this is the first introduction to Thomas. The first three gospels have Thomas in the list of disciples, but it is John's gospel that gives us an introduction to this man. Some scholars believe that Thomas was also known as Judas the Twin, for this is found in Mark 6:3, and some legends hold that Thomas was a brother to Jesus. We can almost rule that out, however, but we know Thomas by the above declaration that he believed in Jesus enough that he was willing to die with Him. He's also a pessimist, for he saw that returning back to be with Lazarus and his sisters, Mary and Martha, was a sure-death scenario but he is willing to die. We know that Thomas was easily bewildered; the days of the Upper Room, he is here and there, and absent when he should have been present. It's in John 14 that he declares he does not know the "way" Jesus is referring to, which leads Jesus to declare, "I am the way, the truth, and the life."
We know, or we may be, like Thomas, a man who never had an unasked question. And some suggest that that is precisely the way to not having doubt. But, Thomas was and is, called the Doubter, for his absence that day when the Risen Jesus made His appearance, he was not there and declares he would not believe anything unless he saw with his own eyes and touched with his own fingers the wounds of Jesus. His absence may have been his way of mourning the death of Jesus. But, we know he was a man of great faith; when the resurrected Jesus returns and asks Thomas to touch His wounds, Thomas makes one of the greatest declarations in the gospels: "My Lord, and my God." (John 20:26-28).
Legends about Thomas place him in Parthia, an independent kingdom that stretched from the Indus to the Tigris, and from the Persian Gulf to the Caspian Sea. The Romans feared the Parthians! Legend also places Thomas in India. He made a difference in some regions of that country, baptizing many, and even said to have ordained seven priests, and founded two churches (not bad for a doubter!). Another legend has him in China with great success, but ultimately returning to India, where he was murdered by a lance. I have shared that his impact was so strong that some people took the surname Thomas as proof of his influence, notably, Danny Thomas, whose faith led him to start St. Jude's Hospital to work with sick children. His daughter, Marlo Thomas continues her dad's work. I even had a seminary classmate from India whose surname was Thomas.
One of Thomas' prayers has him saying, "I thank Thee, O Lord, in all things, that thou didst die for a little space that I might live for ever in thee, and that Thou hast sold me that by me thou mightest set many free."
One source says of Thomas, "No one was ever less of a 'stained-glass saint' than Thomas. Thomas' first reaction not to do what he was told to do, and not to believe what he was asked to believed." Yet, he lived and died a life of obedience to his faith in Jesus Christ. His greatest discovery was what you and I have made, and if not yet, will make: By ourselves, everything is impossible, but with God, nothing is impossible.
PRAYER: Loving God, bless us in ways that bless others with our faith and actions that speak of Your greatness. In Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Don't worry about being in stained-glass; be one whose image is in the hearts of those you bless today!
Eradio Valverde
