Aiden matthams
John 20:24-28 "Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”
I love the story of Thomas. I think the church today has greatly dishonoured Thomas the Apostle. We call him "doubting Thomas" and it's like he's remembered as a "lesser member" of the team.
But I love this story and I think Thomas sound get respect.
The truth is, he missed God the first time around. All the disciples except him, had seen Jesus after his resurrection. God decided to show up on the very day that Thomas wasn't there.
How annoying would that be? You get back and see everyone rejoicing, they're all in your face about how God showed up, and you feel left out. I think Thomas was hurt. And I would be also.
So he said "you know what, I won't be satisfied until I see it for myself. I want to feel the holes in His hand, and the wound in His side."
That's a good prayer. "God, I wont be satisfied until you come and touch my life, like you've done for so many others."
Thomas could have given up. He could have shrugged his shoulders and said "well..it must not be the will of God for me to see Jesus. I must not be called...I must not be as important as the others. Maybe I'm just not part of this team. Maybe Gods not going to use me after all.."
No. Instead he got fervent. He laid aside his disappointments, and got hold of God for himself. And guess what? God came through. Jesus showed up, a second time, miraculously, and this time, it was just for thomas. That's beautiful to me. That's the Love of God.
Thomas went on to take the gospel to India. What a hero! Praise God for Thomas the apostle.
So, maybe YOU feel like Thomas. Perhaps you feel left out. God does stuff for other people, but you really need an encounter for yourself.
Well, fear not. You can get a hold of God. He wont rebuke you for praying and saying "God, that's not FAIR! I want you to do for me what you have done for others!!"
Prayer:
Father, we will not be satisfied without seeing you at work in our church our families, our lives, our city, and our nation. Come again with your great power Please! In Jesus name Amen.