As I publish this article, it is only around three weeks since we celebrated Easter. So thank you, Carole, for sharing your Easter articles around the subject of the Resurrection and Hades.
In this third article from Carole we are to think about the life of Thomas the disciple based on John’s Gospel Chapter 20: 24-29 , how he reacted to meeting the resurrected Jesus and how faith overcame his doubt and confusion.
I’m Thomas and the events which happened last Friday have devastated me and the other disciples. My Lord, who was my dearest friend, has been crucified! He had been arrested, received a mockery of a trial and then he was mercilessly flogged. Then He was nailed to a cross and died in excruciating pain.
Thanks to freebibleimages.org
Crucifixion is a terrible way to be put to death, slow and without mercy. I will never forget the way we all abandoned Jesus. The Romans took him away and each one of us scattered and hid in the shadows, like frightened rats. No one stood up for him; I am ashamed. My legs still trembled with the shock of it. I felt sick at heart and lost; what should I do now? I had kept a low profile, not wanting to meet with the others. I didn’t want to see the cowardice in their eyes which I knew matched my own.
What had the last three years been about; what had it all been for? I could hardly lift my head, so despondent was my heart. Suddenly, I became aware of a commotion. I didn’t want to see anyone; I tried to hide in a gate entrance. He’s here. A voice I recognised shouted and, before I could get away, the other disciples were surrounding me. They told me a ridiculous thing. They said that they had seen Jesus! They told me that Jesus was alive. I was angry with them; how dare they lie at such a horrific time as this.
Get away from me with your untruths, telling me such nonsense. I backed away but they pushed forward, declaring that Jesus was alive! I scoffed. I won’t believe that unless I see him for myself. I will need to see the nail holes in his hands and feet. I walked off in disgust; how could they say such a thing that only added to my grief.
Temper flared in me and I turned from them in disgust. It was a week later. I needed to be with them, despite my misery, and we had all gathered together for a meal. Somehow we still needed each other; I suppose it was a shared tragedy which bound us together. We were afraid for our lives so the doors were locked and we spoke together in whispers, trying to make sense of the tragic events.
Thanks to freebibleimages.org
Then, out of the shadows, a voice said “Peace be with you”. Turning towards the figure, I gazed into the dark, gentle, brown, eyes of Jesus. “Come, Thomas, put your finger here and feel where the nails went in. Put your hand into my side, where I was pierced”.
I bowed my head, tears pooling in my eyes, my voice trembling with raw emotion, “My Lord and my God”. In that moment, the deep feelings that I had pushed aside brimmed to the surface. There was no other emotion now except the overwhelming love that we all had for this man. The Son of God, our Saviour.
I saw no condemnation in His eyes, only welcome and forgiveness. I looked up to heaven and gave thanks from the bottom of my heart – Jesus had indeed risen!
Carole Crossley
Selah: (Pause to think calmly on what has just been read) and check out A Time to Worship
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