We’ve all heard the saying “Don’t be a doubting Thomas.” We had a saying in the Air Force, “Have a healthy sense of cynicism.” It didn’t mean to be paranoid, but rather don’t take everything at face value. In other words, it’s okay to want to be confident. Thomas often gets harshly judged because he wanted proof that Jesus was alive. At this point, his faith in Jesus was at a crossroads. It was a “crisis of belief.” Every day, we as Christians face that same crisis. It’s not an issue of believing who Jesus is, but rather a crisis of our belief that Jesus will do what he says he will do. Thomas was a follower of Christ. And like the others, he saw Jesus die. The nails in his hands and feet, his pierced side, his crown of thorns, his lifeless body. Jesus was dead. And when Jesus appeared, after greeting the disciples, he turned to Thomas and said “Look, see, and touch. Stop doubting and believe.” He meets Thomas where he was at, struggling with a “crisis of faith.” Jesus knew Thomas’ doubt, and then took away all cause for it. But Jesus also gently rebuked Thomas for doubting and only believing when he saw Jesus in person. Jesus goes on to tell him that blessed are those who have not seen yet still believe. How many of us see Jesus work in our lives, and then go back to the same doubt the next crisis we face? Thankfully, our Lord is patient and loving and willing…daily I might add…to demonstrate our faith in him is well-placed, worthy of our trust. There are many things in this world where a healthy sense of cynicism is warranted. Thankfully for the Believer, our trust in Jesus is the ONE thing our faith can stand on.
