Last Sunday (4-15) I preached on unbelieving Thomas (John 20.24-30). Many preachers (and believers) extol the virtues of Thomas, stating he's a hero, a true pragmatist, a man of our times. I suggested that Thomas' approach to the faith is not praiseworthy but blameworthy. I know, I was out on a limb with that statement. But the way John tells the story seems to suggest that's the point. First, Thomas isn't open to the testimony of his friends. He's very demanding in what he wants. He needs proof and not just any proof, specific proof. Isn't it strange that he doesn't pause and say something like, "I don't know if I can swallow that pill, give me some more time to think about it"? This response is more appropriate, I feel. Instead, Thomas refuses to believe in the testimony of his fellow companions until he sees it for himself. Second, Thomas' statement of "Unless . . . I will never see" is similar to a criticism Jesus makes in John 4:48, "Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders, you will never believe." Last but not least, Jesus gently rebukes Thomas. In Greek, the word play is not between doubt and belief but between belief and unbelief. NASB gets it right: "Don't be unbelieving but believing" (vs. 27). Jesus then looks over Thomas' shoulder and says to the listener who has never seen, "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
So what do we do with all this? I suggested that Thomas' approach to faith reveals a stubbornness that can get us into trouble. If we demand a revelation on our own terms, we might miss the life that God has for us. If we don't respond to the faith that God has planted in our hearts, we might harden ourselves against it. Too often we shut the door of our hearts and refuse to respond to the light that is being revealed. We can easily end up like children at a party refusing to play, refusing to believe in the testimony of the laughter, saying it's not that great. It's a prove-it-to-me-attitude. We want proof without commitment. We're on the outside looking in. But like so many things in life, one has to believe, commit, and then see and understand. Refusing to move forward until all the evidence is in might get us into trouble.
The good news, as this text reveals, is that Jesus still works. He doesn't give up on Thomas, but instead he meets Thomas where he is. He comes to him anyway, revealing himself to an unbelieving and demanding man. We can only hope and pray he does the same for us when we close the door of our hearts to his liberating truth. His grace is greater. Thanks be to God.
Peace.
4 comments:
I agree. I think that the comment "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." says it all. This is doubly dangerous in our era because we are constantly hammered by a society that has largly adopted science as the anti-religion. (Even though science is most often misinterpreted and misused in this role). The notion of demanding proof permeates a lot of our lives. It also seems to me that absolute proof of a thing is somewhat antithetical of notion of God and freewill.
Thanks, Kevin. From what I understand, even science depends upon faith, i.e., faith that the world is orlderly and discernable by rational minds. Without that commitment, science could not function.
Another thought, related to Thomas, is how much his attitude may apply to other matters, spiritual issues. (I was trying to move the sermon in that direction.) There are times when we "shut down" because we have a prove-it-to-me attitude. Some might say, all that stuff about joy is bogus, prove it to me. All that stuff about knowing God's love can't be true, prove it to me. The new life you have is not true, prove it to me. Therein lies the problem. One must respond to the faith God has given. God won't assault us; he respects our freedom. One must get into the pool, based on the laughter and joy of others and discover how much fun it is to swim. We have faith in order to understand. We commit and then we see. Peace.
I agree. This has been our experienced here in Dasmarinas on our VBS last Wednesday. We are on a covered basketball court for the church building has been torn down and being rebuilt for their second floor, so we need to meet on this basketball court that has gates on it. Although the door to participate is open some of the children are audience or onlookers. The way i see a parallel with Thomas and other disciples is this way... we have about 53 kids on the first day, then about 98-100 kids on the second day, and about the same number on the 3rd (98-100) who have participated on the VBS itself. As part of the graduation ceremony the W&W group have come up with a give away or gifts to the kids that includes notebook, ballpen, crayons, sandwich, and a capri sun like juice... you can see that there are kids as onlookers wondering what is happening, the group keep on inviting them to join, but some of them kept their distance from us. I can see Thomas on those kids that are onlookers, they are there but they don't want to join in. Graduation at 3PM, all the kids that have attended are registered and are part of the celebration, still there are some kids who are onlookers, still wondering if they will join in or not. After singing and awarding... gift package giving has been arrange and ask those who are registered to line up for they will be receiving the gifts first. We have arrange to have about 150 packs 'coz we know there are kids who are onlookers and we intend to give them a gift pack too. Those who have fully participated have been able to learn something about God and has been able to participate on the fellowship and some of them has received an award of being the best students during that week. The onlookers saw the gift packs being given away, that is the time they have come and ask for the gift, we have still given them the pack at the end, but they have lost the opportunity to be a part of the VBS during that week. That is how i see the difference between Thomases and those who have the faith to join in first, yes God will definitely work on you, but those who have plunge in and join the VBS early have the privilege to understand more and be able to participate with God on his Kingdom building just like those kids who have join in on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd day. Those Thomases will still be a part of God but have lost their opportunity during those times that they have doubted God. Ringo at APNTS - Taytay.
Thanks, Ringo, for the update and the comments. We can't wait for your return.
Post a Comment