Devotion:
Read John 20:24-28.
I think Thomas gets a bum rap when we call him “Doubting Thomas!” After all, when Jesus was summoned back into Judea to raise Lazarus, Thomas said to the other apostles, “Let us also go, that we may die with him” (John 11:16). There was no doubt or hesitation in that bold statement! But to believe that Jesus had risen from the dead after having seen him die on a cruel cross without actually witnessing the risen Christ himself – pretty unbelievable. I like to call him “Analytical Thomas” instead.
Children tend to accept what their parents, grandparents, and teachers tell them about faith matters, and this is called conforming faith. But as they get older, they question and test these teachings and sometimes even rebel against them. It can be difficult to see them pushing back, but it is a healthy stage of faith development called probing faith. Finally, comes growing faith as the person matures. Thomas’ insistence on seeing the scars was a kind of probing faith…wanting to believe but having to experience the risen Christ himself instead of simply relying on the experiences of others.
Personal Worship Option:
Almighty God, help me when I need to experience you more personally and to see you in action in the world. I know I cannot be yours because of someone else’s faith. And help me to be patient and helpful with those who probe and ask questions. They probably want to believe more deeply but need to experience you for themselves. Amen.
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