The Feast of St. Thomas

[David of Derby]

Brothers and sisters, today the Church of England celebrates the Feast of St. Thomas the Doubter - the feast is actually tomorrow but because there's no Eucharist on a Thursday in England we celebrate it today. St. Thomas was, as I'm sure you all know, an Apostle. He was not present when Christ appeared to the others at their room in Jerusalem, and he doubted what they said when he returned and was told what happened.

The next time Christ appeared He invited Thomas to touch His wounds and have proof that He was alive, and then told him, "Do you believe because you have seen? Blessed are those who have not seen, but still believe."

St. Thomas teaches us that in an age of fundamentalism, our faith is based on questions, and at the heart of our faith is a mystery. We should all continually question what we believe, to grow in faith and not rest on smug assurance that we know God. I'm sure you'll all join with me in a short prayer of thanks for the example of St. Thomas and for God's great goodness.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the example of St. Thomas the Doubter. May he inspire us to always question what we believe and grow in faith, that we may continually strive to know You and Your precious Son. Thank You for the many blessings You have given us despite our sinful nature. Please be with us all, Lord God, now and always, and guide us in our search for greater understanding and faith. For the sake of Your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, please hear our prayer. Amen.

[EricH]

Are you sure Jesus was holding Thomas' doubt and questioning up as a good example? The writer of Hebrews actually encourages us in what seems to be a different direction:

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:1 HCSB

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;

Hebrews 10:23 HCSB

Paul seems to encourage Timothy in having concrete beliefs:

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing those from whom you learned,

2 Timothy 3:15 HCSB

That is not to say that there are not mysteries to the faith. But these are not the core of faith or what defines it. It is the things we know and are convinced of that allow us to live with these mysteries through our faith.

[Trusting Jesus]

We all should have questions about Christ, His life, and how we should walk in His steps. A problem I see is that too many people are asking questions then looking outside the Bible for answers. That's how cults are formed and that's how "doctrines of men" ease into our beliefs. The feasts which God ordained and established all point to Christ. Only man could come up with a feast to celebrate doubt! At least Thomas's doubts led him to Jesus. Remember Thomas on that day proclaimed of Jesus "My Lord and my God". But the truth is, if he had studied his Scripture (Old Testament) and known the prophecies concerning the Messiah he should never have doubted in the first place. He walked and talked with Jesus and should have recognized Him right away. All of them should have. Unfortunately that is a comment on all of mankind. Acts 17:11 says of the Bereans "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." We need to be like the Bereans who measured truth from God's word.

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Nathele

edited to correct spelling errors

[David of Derby]

We should, indeed have concrete beliefs - but how do we get them without asking questions? If we don't doubt, we won't look for answers, in the Scriptures or anywhere else. No one can believe something without any evidence at all - and Thomas' example shows us that in an extreme way. He wanted to see Christ before his own eyes before he'd believe, and Christ tells him that those who believe without seeing are blessed, but we all want to see in some way, don't we? Many of us here have written testimonies to things God has done in our lives, and why do we share those experiences? So that others will see the greatness of God and believe. Because everyone needs to see something. It may not be Christ Himself standing before us, but we all want something to prove that we're not deluded fools believing in fairy tales.

St. Thomas' doubt in itself wasn't a good thing, but his example allows us to learn from him and grow in faith. That's a very good thing.

[elkieDannsa' Air An Drochaid]

Thank you David of Derby for posting about St. Thomas today,

His name brings a joy to me and here is why.........

When I was a little girl, it was the words of St.Thomas that touched me so deeply when he said; "my Lord and my God". You see, my mother had joined a cult that denied the Deity of Jesus Christ. I remember like it was even today, thinking; "But, Thomas said my Lord and my God! He must of knew! He was there! He must of knew who Jesus really was. Could it be?? Oh, could it be true Is Jesus God??!!" I kept this in my heart. God used this to continue my seeking Him and indeed I think of St.Thomas as an afirmer of the faith! I know Jesus is both Lord and God of me, too! I know Jesus is uncreated and from everlasting to everlasting! All praise to God and with joy I can say how blessed I am to know our Saviour for Who HE really is! Thank you to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

So, although St.Thomas is called the doubter, my mind and heart always thinks of him as firming the true faith in my heart (through the work of the Holy Spirit) , how he helped me to know who Jesus was and is! The precious gift of Christ and all He has done and does is ever growing in my heart forever!!!!

Praise God for he is worthy

[Smalcald]

To me I always took St. Thomas as an example of someone who was weak in faith yet Christ still loved and saved. This is a wonderful inspiration and really assurance that even though we may sometimes doubt He does not falter.

[Guest]

And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

John 20:28

AMEN!