Trust and Believe
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
24 But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe." 26 A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." 27 Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe." 28 Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:24-28)
After Jesus' resurrection, he instructed his disciples - through Mary Magdalene - to wait in the upper room where they had shared their last meal with Jesus, and Jesus would meet them there. Jesus did what he said, and appeared in the locked room to the fear-filled disciples, but Thomas wasn't with them. We aren't told why Thomas went out, but his words of doubt have led to his infamy as "Doubting Thomas". We still have a tendency to vilify Thomas today for his very natural desire to have the same experience that the others shared.
Moreover, the Greek word that has been translated as "believe" has a broader meaning that could be more accurately translated as "trust". We tend to understand believing as something done in the mind and trusting as something deeper, from the heart. It might be easier to relate to Thomas not trusting what he hasn't experienced. We might also hear a more gentle grace in Jesus' words to Thomas if we read them as
"Do not doubt, but trust".
How often have we withheld our trust from God when we couldn't understand - or didn't like - what we were experiencing? No matter how much we believe in our minds, trusting can feel more risky as we must relinquish our efforts to control and our need for certainty. True faith requires belief and trust. It is almost unfathomable that God would choose to know us and want to be known by us, but Jesus was sent for that very purpose. The evidence of God's goodness, grace and love is all around us and within us yet, when our trust falters, if we ask, Jesus is faithful to show us his presence and give us his peace.
5 The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. 6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; I have a goodly heritage. 7 I bless the LORD, who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. 8 I keep the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices; my body also rests secure. 10 For you do not give me up to Sheol or let your faithful one see the Pit. 11 You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:5-11)
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