From the 12 Apostles Sermon Series:
Apostle Thomas

Thomas, the Doubter, or the Brave?
A sermon based on John 20:19-31
by Rev. Frank Schaefer

What we’re known for by others is often not what we’re really about. People are funny that way, they remember what stands out to them and characterize a person according to that experience—most of the time by a failure or mistake of some sort.

I painfully realized that on one of my recent visits back home. Apparently, back in Alzey, Germany, I’m still known by some as the boy who nearly burned down the village. It is true, my friends and I lit a field on fire by accident. But to be defined by something that happened so long ago, felt really strange.

Yes, it was a mistake with almost disastrous consequences; yes, my friends and I should not have started a camp fire in the dry season, and yes it took the whole village to put out the fire. But I was in the third grade, for heaven’s sake; and what about my almost impeccable life before that time? And what about my life afterwards, the fact that I devoted my life to the ministry, and the good things I have done for so many folks since?  No mention of if.  In Alzey, Germany, I’m the boy who nearly torched down the village.

The same could be said of the apostle Thomas. Honestly, what is the first thing that comes to your mind when Jesus’ disciple Thomas is mentioned?

“Doubting Thomas,” that’s right, that’s his identifier. But does that really characterize Thomas fairly? No, not at all! In fact, Thomas was one of the bravest Christians, a very insightful theologian; he had a burning desire to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to the farthest ends of the world.  He was the only apostle to venture beyond the Roman Empire to bring the gospel to India and the Parthian Empire.

In John 11:16, when Lazarus has just died, none of the other apostles wanted to go back to Judea where people had attempted to stone Jesus to death. But Thomas bravely said: "Let us also go that we may die with him."  Why don’t we know this incredible statement of Thomas’ unwavering faith? Obviously, Thomas was unafraid to die for his faith and indeed he did die as a martyr for Christ later in his life. And yet, church history continues to define him in terms of “Thomas, the Doubter” because of one moment of weakness. As the saying goes: “Thomas will never live that one down.”

And so, we commemorate the apostle Thomas this morning (the second Sunday of Easter is actually his day) with the Scripture passage that tells of his doubt [John. 20:24–29]  Yes, he doubted the resurrection of Jesus and demanded to touch Jesus' wounds before being convinced.

Imagine, missing one Sunday, and coming back to hear “Guess who showed up while you were gone?” Jesus!  Would you believe it?  Thomas gets the title “doubter” even though he’s not the only one who is from the Missouri state (the “show me” state). Peter, for one, doesn’t believe the women when they tell about Christ’s body missing from the tomb. So he runs and checks things out for himself.

I think Thomas’ question rather showed that he was honest. He did not want to lie and say that he understood something that he did not understand; or that he believed something he could not believe.

A couple of days later, as the disciples are gathered again, Thomas does get to see Jesus alive and he exclaimed, "My Lord and my God!" I think it is remarkable that it is from Thomas's mouth that we hear for the first time in the New Testament a statement of the divinity and humanity of Jesus, according to the teaching of the Orthodox Church.

What can we learn from Thomas and this gospel passage from John? My feeling is that God wants us to be honest with ourselves and with God. God wants us to ask those questions that we harbor. Do you trust God this morning?  Perhaps you have harbored doubts and questions for many years and felt bad about even having them.  This morning God is saying: come to me my child, give me all your questions and even your doubt, like Thomas did.

Don’t turn away; don’t stay away, but come to me with all your questions and even your doubts.  I want to hear them, I want to listen to you; I want you to grow in trust even if you don’t get all the answers.   

I’m not a prominent theologian or historian, but I for one will make a statement today that aims at rectifying Thomas’ reputation. I am renaming him “Thomas, the brave” for being courageous enough to express his true feelings—not out of cynicism but because he wanted to understand and believe.  Amen.