“Doubting” Thomas, No More!
August 17th, 2008The American Restoration preachers used to tell this story. A man was going on a trip so he left his son in charge of building his farm. He gave him a map of where he wanted everything located and went away. His son took the map and saw the location of the house, barn, well, etc. He said, “I agree with the location of all these things except the barn, it should be in a different spot.” Then he built the farm. The preachers then asked, “How many times did the son do his father’s will? The answer was zero. He only did what he was in agreement with. If his father had a different view, he rejected it.
We might change the setting but the point is still applicable. How many times do we read the Bible and when we come across something tolerable, we will do it; yet, if we find something that puts us out of our comfort zone, we go “around the barn” to find a way NOT to do it? Then we cry, “Grace! Grace!”
When Thomas finally saw the resurrected Lord, he exclaimed, “My Lord and my God!” John 20:28. Do you think Thomas spoke those words casually? Do you think he was saying, “You are my Lord and God as long as your words please me.”? No, most likely, Thomas reverently said that he recognized that Jesus was exactly who he claimed to be; and with that he would do whatever Jesus wanted.
Legend has it that Thomas was run through with a spear as a martyr for Jesus. That is not the end of a man who would take Jesus casually. It is not the end of a man who spent his life doubting the reality of God or his son. It is not the end of a man who would expect to do as he pleased so that “grace would cover it.” This was the end of a man who sold out to Jesus - come what may.
Jesus is not our Lord and God if we are still in charge. We do not get to pick and choose. We are the servants. He is the Master.
Keep The Light Burning!
Perry Greene
