Doubting Thomas

Doubting Thomas makes his appearance in John 20. He's one of the minor disciples, and he wasn't there when Jesus first appeared after his resurrection. The Bible doesn't say why, but if trying to get our family somewhere all at the same time - to church, the cinema, a party... is anything to go by, he could have been looking for his shoes, trying to find one of the cats, in the loo, or sulking in his room because he was asked to do the dishes AGAIN. The disciples were just like us. Normal people with things to do.

Whatever the reason, Thomas wasn't there the first time, and that's great for us. Why? Because when he was told the great story of Jesus' resurrection, he didn't believe them. And that's more like us than we often care to admit. Well, me, anyway. Sometimes we have doubts about God. Is He there for us? Does He like us? Why did that bad (or good) thing happen to me and no-one else?

The story of Thomas shows us that it's OK to doubt; Jesus does not reject doubts that are honest and which can lead to a deeper belief. Thomas voiced his doubts out loud; "Unless I see.... I will not believe it". And because he was openly questioning - and open to answers - Jesus answered his doubts, ending with "stop doubting and believe".

I believe that that is the important issue' stop doubting and believe. Ask your questions of Jesus, and he will answer them "out of the mouths of two or three witnesses". But once you get an answer, believe it and act upon it. Ask different questions if you need to, but each only needs to be asked once.. if you're willing to believe the answer.