Bible Text: Acts 4: 32-35: John 20: 19-31 | Preacher: Rev. Berlin Guerrero | Series: 2020 |

We all have moments of doubt. Though we have no doubt that the world will overcome the pandemic, we doubt the actions of some governments in response to the pandemic especially those resorting to autocratic and dictatorial, even militaristic approaches. With the aim of controlling the spread and eradicating the virus, it also places large numbers of population into cage-like situations causing gross human rights violations against its own people.

There is an epiphany among people in the world in the sense that the pandemic is bringing out realities that had been covered by powerful media corporations in collaboration with powerful governments. For one is the health systems which was believed to be sufficient but now seen to be lacking and helpless when the coronavirus infections spread into pandemic proportions.

In these times when you have moments to meditate, read, study and reflect, what truth and realities do you see unravelling before your eyes as we journey into this world wracked by a common sickness?

What do you seek to discover and know? What questions do you ask?

Perhaps we can learn a lot from the Apostle Thomas who we can say is at the centre of attention in our scripture reading.

Thomas asked questions when others might have just been unwilling or hesitant to ask. For example, when Jesus said that He was going away and that He was going to prepare a place for the disciples and would come again for them (John 14:2-4) everyone else was silent. When it seemed no one else would speak up, Thomas asked “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” (John 14:5)? And Jesus responded by saying that He is “the way, the truth and the life” (John 14:6).

Thomas’ Bravery

John 11:8 indicated that Thomas was ready to go up to Jerusalem and die with Christ (Jn 11:16). When Lazarus had died Jesus said “Let us go to Judea again” (John 11:7b) but “The disciples said to him, ‘Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?’” So, the disciples apparently tried to talk Jesus out of going for fear of being stoned and the disciples probably didn’t want to go either because if Jesus was stoned, what would become of them? Were they afraid of going back to Bethany too? Thomas seemed the bravest of them all by saying “Let us also go, that we may die with him” (John 11:16).

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“Doubting Thomas?”

I think it’s unfortunate that Thomas has been labelled “Doubting Thomas” because he was never called such in the Bible. That label might be a bit unfair to him. The disciples were not any less doubting than Thomas was/ because after Jesus’ death, they were in hiding and had the doors locked for fear of the Jews, perhaps thinking that they would be next (John 20:19). It was only after Jesus appeared to them that they finally believed. However, after encountering the Risen Christ, Thomas was the first to make a public profession of Jesus as being both Lord and God.

Thomas’ Later Life

Church tradition and history tells us that Thomas travelled outside of the Roman Empire as a missionary, possibly as far away as India to preach the gospel, which is yet another indication of Thomas’ boldness.

Not very much is known about the method of Thomas’ execution but that maybe due to the fact that he was a missionary in faraway India. Church tradition says that while he was establishing a church there, he was stabbed with a spear, causing his death. The irony is that Jesus told Thomas to touch his side and his hands where the wounds from the nails and spear were still visible (John 10:27). There is no doubt that Thomas was a strong believer and a powerful missionary used by God to the glory of God.1

Three things we can learn from Thomas: (1) He was not afraid of asking questions, (2) he acted on the truth, and (3) he was a strong believer who shared in Christ ministry no matter what the consequences would be.

In our homely gatherings this moment, like the questioning Thomas, what questions come into mind in this situation which we never had experienced before? What are the things that place us in fear, in awe, and even in wonder? For the brave Thomas, what challenges do you face that make you to retreat and what push you to do something new and brave?

Lastly, in all these, like Thomas who grew to be a strong believer, let us ask, what can I share in Christ’s ministry, as a member of my congregation not only in this time of crisis but also into the future in God’s reign on earth?

This is for me what an Easter church might reflect on. It is not enough to say Christ is risen. It is important to demonstrate how to live as a community of the resurrected Christ.

In Acts 4:33 it says, “With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.”

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The Apostle Thomas Biography, Doubting, Life and Death; https://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/the-apostle-thomas-

biography-doubting-life-and-death/#ixzz5C1Bp0k1C

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May our powerful testimony of the resurrected Christ make us worthy of God’s great grace that is promised to us by our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.