United Church of Pittsford

John 20:24-29

Poor Thomas . . . whenever his name is mentioned,
even among non-believers, “doubting” is always attached!

“Doubting Thomas . . .” and it certainly doesn’t appear
as a compliment . . . but as a judgment, a criticism, a rebuke . . .
that skeptical, distrustful, unfaithful Thomas.

Why . . . his reputation among his fellow disciples is nearly as soiled
as that of Judas, the betrayer!

I’m here today to say poor Thomas has been treated unfairly . . .
for, his response to the testimony of his colleagues,
was no different from their response to the testimony
of Mary Magdalene.

None of the other disciples believed either . . . not until Jesus appeared in their locked chamber, and showed them
his hands and his side.

Poor Thomas is remembered as the least faithful of the disciples . . .
when, in fact, his other two brief appearances in John’s gospel
portray him as quite the opposite!

Earlier in John’s account, when Jesus speaks of returning to Jerusalem, the disciples attempt to dissuade him . . concerned
that he might be killed!

Thomas’ response to his colleagues is, “Why, let’s go too,
so we can die with him!”

And when Thomas sees the scared hands and touches the open wound, and realizes that, in fact, Jesus has risen from the dead . . .
he immediately makes an earth shattering confession of faith,
by referring to Jesus as “my Lord and my God . . .” becoming the very first person to recognize Jesus as the Lord God incarnate,
something none of the other disciples are remembered as stating, much less believing.

I believe it is instructive to note that Jesus does not rebuke Thomas because of his need for proof, but provides it . . . just as he had
for the rest of those “doubting disciples.”

I believe the message is that the Good Lord provides whatever it is that we need in order for us to believe, to have faith,
to trust in his word, his example, his leading.

For me, I needed more than scripture . . . I needed the testimony
of others.

I needed their instructions and their example . . . I needed to know
the path they followed that lead them to an intimate relationship
of trust and love with the Lord.

Maybe the greatest proof for all of us . . . is that all of us are here today!

Somehow, in some way . . . in spite of our collective skepticism, distrust, and lack of faith and commitment . . . the Lord
has called us together to love and encourage one another . . .
as we all attempt at our own unique pace to honor his word
and follow after his example.

Actually, all this talk about doubt is not even scriptural . . .
for the Greek word used in this passage is not the word
commonly used for “doubt,” but more accurately understood as
the opposite of faith . . . which is “fear.”

When considering faith, when considering trust . . .
fear is the problem, not doubt!

Fear locks doors . . . doubts merely raise questions.

Fear paralyzes us into inaction . . . doubts simply engage us
in conversation about what course of action might best be taken.

Believing something, having faith in something is best understood as trusting in that something . . . such as, having faith in the loyalty and love of one’s spouse . . . which really means trusting in that loyalty and love so that it effects the way one lives . . .
such as, having faith in the knowledge and skill of the mechanic
who repairs one’s car . . . which really means trusting in that knowledge and skill so that it effects the way one lives . . .
such as, having faith in the mercy, grace, and forgiveness of God . . .
which really means trusting in that mercy, grace, and forgiveness
so that it effects the way one lives.

Faith, trust always leads to action!

There is a story about a pre-civil rights African American community in Florida. On those days when elections were being held, these people
would rent a voting machine and cast their votes for the candidates
they preferred. Of course, they all understood that their votes were
never going to be counted in the general election. . . but they participated in the exercise anyway.

When asked by a white reporter why they would do such a thing, one of their number responded, “Just practicing . . . just practicing!”

Believing, trusting, having faith in what is not yet seen
means practicing or behaving as if it already exists.

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said,
“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”

Do you harbor any doubts, any skepticism, any uncertainty about
God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit?

If so, you are not alone either here . . . or among your fellow Christians throughout the world.

To all of us, Jesus offers these words of comfort and encouragement, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”

The irony is, sometimes we think what a blessing it would be
if we could have been there and seen Jesus.

Sometimes we think it would have made faith in him so much easier!

Let’s stop and think about that for just a moment.

Would seeing an individual who constantly associated with all the wrong people make it easier to trust in him?

Would seeing an individual constantly challenge and often criticize
established religious and political authoritiesmake it easier to trust in him?

Would seeing an individual get arrested, publicly beaten, humiliated,
and eventually executed, make it easier to trust in his word
and follow his example?

Or, would we too lock the doors of our hearts out of fear, doubt,
and disillusionment?

Just maybe Jesus is right when he says we are the blessed ones
for not having to go through all of that like his original disciples . . .
for faith itself is a blessing from God and a great miracle . . .
not something we are able to manufacture on our own . . .
and maybe, just maybe even more of a blessing and a miracle
for those original disciples who had to live through
that remarkable and miraculous story with Jesus!

Poor Thomas is vilified for expressing his doubts about the miracle
of our Lord’s resurrection.

I dare say, having doubts, harboring some fear about death,
and what might or might not lay beyond it, is not all that unusual!

I think we can all identify with Thomas!

Hopefully, we can identify, as well, with his confession of faith . . .
that Jesus of Nazareth is the Risen Christ . . . and our Lord, our Master, our model for living . . . our God in human form,
sent to save us from our fears in life and in death.

Amen.