Words about the Word - Doug Thomas - Trinity Episcopal
As you probably know, it is common for Christians to experience doubt, especially when God acts or doesn’t act in ways contrary to our expectations.
In fact, doubt is such a near universal experience among Christians that we see it manifested in the original disciples of Jesus.
In John’s gospel, we read that when Thomas was told by his fellow disciples: “We have seen the Lord,” he responded, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.” Because of that comment, he has been characterized as “doubting” Thomas. But Thomas wasn’t the only follower of Jesus who needed to see the resurrected Christ before believing. John’s gospel also reveals that when the resurrected Jesus first appeared to some disciples fearfully hiding behind locked doors and said: “Peace be with you.” Then “he showed them his hands and his side.” Only after that did those disciples rejoice.
Jesus understood that Thomas needed to see the same evidence they had seen. So: “A week later [when the] disciples were again in the house and Thomas was with them….Jesus… said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” Thomas responded: “My Lord and my God.” Jesus acknowledged Thomas’ confession by saying: “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”
Those disciples believed because of their personal encounters with Jesus. But we then find Jesus pronounced a blessing upon “those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” This is the situation for us today. We have not seen the resurrected Jesus in the flesh. So how is it we believe in him and love him?
Let’s begin to answer that question by recognizing that most of what we know and believe comes to us through what has been called “transmitted information.” That means we acquired it from someone else.
Anthropologists say the foundations of culture and society are based on our ability to communicate what we know to one another: it is the basis of socialization, where we assimilate the behaviors needed to successfully relate to others and develop our understanding of the world; it is the cornerstone of education, where we learn specific bits of information, strategies for problem solving, and necessary skills for living and working.
Transmitted information is also the means by which we begin to learn about God. Romans 10:13 says “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word.” Originally, our words about God were transmitted orally, one person telling another. But eventually, the seminal stories were written and codified into Holy Scripture. But, for us to trust what we have been told, it is important that those who teach us be credible: trustworthy and believable.
Most of us were introduced to Jesus by one or more persons we loved and trusted. It may have been parents, pastors, or friends. They may have witnessed by words and/or by deeds, but we were receptive to their message because of who they were and their relationship with us. If we also had an opportunity to see them remain faithful in difficult situations, their testimony became even more credible. Through such witnesses, the seeds of faith were planted.
But, that which we are taught by others becomes even “more true, and more real” when it is reinforced by personal experience. For example, momma can tell me not to touch the stove because it’s hot; but if I touch it, “hot” acquires a whole new meaning.
Hearing about Jesus provides the seeds of faith, but for our faith to grow and become strong enough to endure the difficulties and disappointments of life, we need to have a personal encounter with Jesus. Unlike the original disciples, we cannot have an “in the flesh” encounter; so, how is this made possible? Scripture teaches it is through the gift of the Holy Spirit, who teaches us God’s truth so that the seeds of faith are fed and we can grow into “a new creation.” This means that a critical part of the Christian life is to pay attention to the promptings of the Holy Spirit by reading the Bible, and by spending time in prayer and meditation.
Finally, John’s gospel tells us that before Jesus gifted his disciples with the Holy Spirit, he said to them: “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” We are God’s messengers, and He gives us His Holy Spirit to empower and guide us as we share the gospel story. Let us pray that we will be credible witnesses.
