7 April 2024 Easter 2
Acts 4.32-37; Psalm 133; 1 John 1.1-2.2; John 20.19-31
Our gospel story this morning, featuring Thomas, is one of the few passages in our 3-year lectionary cycle that we read every year. But unfortunately, we often, or even usually, see Thomas as the ‘how not to act’ example. But I think we do Thomas a disservice when we speak of him in these negative terms, doubting Thomas is a common ‘throw-away’ line used for anyone who we think lacks the fortitude to believe what they have been told.
John offers us three individual looks at Thomas in his gospel. In chapter 11, Thomas encourages the other disciples to go with Jesus to see Lazarus who, Jesus has just told them, has died. And he does this knowing that it may spell their deaths too. And then in chapter 14, when Jesus speaks about going to ‘prepare’ a place for them, and Thomas does not understand this metaphorical reference, he plainly tells Jesus – “we do not know the way you are going, how can we know the way”. Thomas appears to me to be someone who is genuine, forthright, and courageous, someone who is not afraid to admit when he is confused or doesn’t understand, someone who needs his truths to be plain and simple, who does not make decisions without first having all the information.
In today’s reading, we find that Thomas was not with the other disciples the first time Jesus appears to them. Remember, it is the first day of the week, the day after Mary has announced that she has seen Jesus and that he is risen. So what are the disciples doing? They are hiding in a locked room out of fear. And Thomas is not there. Why? Is it because he is courageous enough not to be afraid of what may or may not happen. Could it be that Thomas is simply ‘getting on with life’. He has seen Jesus die, he has heard of Jesus’ resurrection, and now he needs to work out what comes next and get on with living.
So when the disciples tell him that Jesus has appeared to them, I am not sure his response reveals doubt as much as it is reflecting that he cannot understand how that could be true. He doesn’t ‘doubt’ the disciples, he just doesn’t ‘believe’ them, so his demand to ‘touch’ Jesus’ wounds may just be a gentle mocking of them by asking for something he is sure can never happen. And so when Jesus again appears to the disciples, and Thomas is there this time, Jesus invites Thomas to ‘touch’ him. And what changes for Thomas is not his so-called doubt, but his perception of reality itself, of what is possible; of what God can do, and what God can do through him.
So in taking Thomas’ mocking words and turning them back on him, Jesus is not trying to humiliate or berate Thomas, he is simply pointing out to him that his reality is too small, his vision of what is possible is too restricted. And when Jesus calls him to faith, he is inviting him to enter into a whole new world.
And really, how often do we react like Thomas. How often do we, not so much ‘doubt’ that God can do x or y, but just dismiss it because we simply don’t see it as possible. And yes I know, for God all things are possible, but we usually do not remember that when we are confronted with the seemingly impossible. We find it difficult to accept things that are outside our sphere of understanding, we don’t so much ‘doubt’ as we just don’t ‘see the possibility’. We often default into a worldview that is governed by limitations and ‘reality’. But God is inviting us to have a bigger view; a vision that is not restricted or limited by failure, a vision that is open to seeing possibility; a vision where we are not ruled by remembered offences but a vision where we are set free by forgiveness and reconciliation. Are we able to be the Thomas who saw his reality challenged and opened himself to the new possibilities God showed him. Can we be open to the new reality that began when God raised Jesus from the dead, and continues, and grows, and expands every time we gather together to share community and fellowship together. Let us consider the impact and attractiveness of a faith community that permits and holds us when we are wary and sceptical, and also celebrates with us when we see and allow for the new possibilities, in God, to occur.
Thomas appears to have been someone who was willing to ‘go out on a limb’, who was willing to share the faith he held with those he encountered in many and varied places. The church in India venerates Thomas, and there is a Mar Thoma congregation here in the Brisbane Diocese, worshiping at St Phillips, Annerley. Thomas took the Good News into new areas of the world, and the Mar Thoma Church of India is testimony to this, he is the Apostle to India, the patron of those who yearn.