THOMAS, sometimes called "doubting Thomas," had a hard time believing that Jesus was really risen from the dead. My guess is that his story is in the Bible because he was not alone. There were plenty of folks back then -- and plenty of us now -- for whom believing is not easy. Thomas's story is here to let us know that it's okay to ask tough questions, face honest doubts, and search for a relation...ship with Jesus Christ that is real for us.
I'm glad that my faith tradition allows space for that kind of search. It's become something of a slogan around our church that honest doubt is not a contradiction to faith but an essential element in a healthy, growing, maturing faith. There is room in the church for people to begin following Christ and to work out the answers to their questions in the presence of the One who has the answers.
The risen Christ shows up in places where we least expect him. To every doubting Thomas, Christ says, "Welcome! There is room for you in my kingdom. Follow me." Those who do will find faith that is worth looking for -- faith born of honest doubt and true humility.
I'm glad that my faith tradition allows space for that kind of search. It's become something of a slogan around our church that honest doubt is not a contradiction to faith but an essential element in a healthy, growing, maturing faith. There is room in the church for people to begin following Christ and to work out the answers to their questions in the presence of the One who has the answers.
The risen Christ shows up in places where we least expect him. To every doubting Thomas, Christ says, "Welcome! There is room for you in my kingdom. Follow me." Those who do will find faith that is worth looking for -- faith born of honest doubt and true humility.
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