Reflections by the Pond
April 23, 2003

Uncertain Flesh

Thomas wasn't the only doubter. He, like Peter, just suffered from the malady of saying whatever was on his mind. Most people, when presented with something they don't understand, are sufficiently circumspect to keep their mouths shut, hoping that someone else will raise the question that simmers in their own heart.

Someone like Thomas.

[Jesus said,] "Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way where I am going." Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?" John 14:1-5 nasbu

Shortly after Jesus arose from the dead, He showed Himself to the disciples. Thomas wasn't there, but doubt certainly was.

While they were telling these things, He Himself stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be to you." But they were startled and frightened and thought that they were seeing a spirit. And He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? "See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; touch Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have." Luke 24:36-39 nasbu

In declaring his reservations later, Thomas only gave voice to the unbelief that had filled the hearts of his brethren. They were no better at digesting the truth; they just had the good sense to keep their mouths shut. But of course, the supernatural figure standing before them revealed His divinity even before He revealed His wounds. For He read the condition of their hearts. They, too, doubted that He was the Christ. Three years of living with Jesus were not sufficient to allay the uncertainty of flesh.

A week later, however, Jesus gave Thomas a chance to decide for himself.

After eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst and said, "Peace be with you." Then He said to Thomas, "Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing." Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!" John 20:26-28 nasbu

Thomas' faith was no more fragile than that of his ten companions--nor, I dare say, than most of ours. We are all of us still wrapped in uncertain flesh, and disbelief can still be a more familiar companion than belief. Human eyes are made of flesh, but the heart of a believer has been remade by the Spirit. With Jesus dwelling within, we are given the privilege of "seeing" with the heart, instead of our eyes.

Jesus said to him, "Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed." John 20:29 nasbu

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Reflections file: pond0368.txt