" Is There Room For Faith In Certainty"

April 12, 2015 Reading:  Acts 5: 27-32 and John 20: 19-31

Everyone regardless of how well you know your bible would be able to answer this question in some way or other.  So let’s have a little fun this morning.  I will mention a biblical name and I want you in your mind to think of the first thing that you associate with the name.  I will ask someone to tell us out loud what thing came into their mind and then I will ask if anyone had something different come to mind about the person.  Let’s give it a try: 

Eve:   Moses:    Abraham:   Job:   Noah:  Jesus:    Judas:    Peter:  Notice how different each person associates each name.  These characters all have many faces don’t they?   The last name that I will mention is from our reading today, Thomas, what comes to mind here?   Most likely when I mention the word Thomas, there is little question about the word most everyone would think of first, it would be the word “doubt.”   As strange as it may sound, doubt became one of the major building blocks for Thomas’ faith. In fact  I believe it is where faith begins.  Note here, I did not say where your religion begins, why, because I believe religion is where most people lean towards certainty.  Thomas was so closely associated with this word, that we have even coined a phrase to describe him.  "The Doubting Thomas." 

Now think about that for a moment folks because there is no need to build on something you are certain about.   For instance, if you’re certain that death is the end, then there is no need to explore this subject any further. 

Here is something you may find interesting.  In three of the four gospels we are told absolutely nothing at all about Thomas. Thomas only shows up in the Gospel of John and he emerges as a distinct personality, but even then, there are only 155 words about him,  But, if we look closely, there is more than one description.    

When Jesus turned his face toward Jerusalem, just before His crucifixion, the disciples said, that this decision would bring certain death for all of them and that was not in their plan.  Surprisingly, it was Thomas who said: John 11: 15 “Then let us go so that we may die with him.” Now that was a courageous statement, yet we don't remember Thomas for his courage do we, but God knows Thomas with all the gifts He has given him, courage being one of them.   Here is where you can take a moment folks to reflect upon yourselves.  How do you see those around you, do you see a negative trait and emphasize that as their identity or do you see the whole person, with all the goodness and gifts they have been given. When I was growing up I got the reputation of the family clown and I had to do some pretty stupid stuff to main that reputation I tell you, but I was more than that folks.   How did your family see you? 

Unfortunately history has remembered Thomas for his doubt, this very negative and narrow view of him.  I caution you here folks, don’t’ let preconceived images, doubt or certainty become the prison from which you cannot emerge.    

As a child, I suspect that most of you, as did I, start out with certainty; about your religion and your images of God and Jesus.  God was a He, not a She, who had long white hair sitting on a throne up in heaven.  His job was to judged and punish those who were bad.  Jesus was this tall long wavy haired gentle Shepherd with a staff.  He was dressed in a white robe with children and lambs surrounding him.   Certainty here is problematic in itself wouldn't you agree?  When I was a child I was certain about the image of God and Jesus I carried in my mind, what about you?  But folks, it was at the doorstep of curiosity and doubt that allowed me to challenge these childhood images, allowing me to grow and continue to deepen and discover more about my faith in a God and my understanding of who Jesus is for me.      

Spending time with the resurrected Christ, the one who claims to be the life, truth, and the way to the Father can be a wonderful experience for you if you retain and open mind.   Thomas finally sees the risen Christ for the first time.   We on the other hand who have not seen but have believed, we are blessed.   The idea that you have to see to believe wouldn't go down well with Edison, Bell, Beethoven or Bill Gates.  They didn't have to see the light bulb, the phone, the musical score or Microsoft before it came into to being.  NO, NO they believe it was all there before seeing, and because they kept on, hanging in there, things eventually materialized.   If you believe in Jesus’ resurrection you will not have to see Christ physically either, keep on seeking with an open mind, allow you faith to grow and He will eventually just show up in your life and in your behaviour.   Others will see Him too in the reflection of your compassionate acts, your good deeds, your forgiveness, and your love, as you share who the Christ is for you.   That’s how it works, you believe and He just shows up.  He works with you, in you, for you and for others.  Isn't that amazing!!  Isn't that GRACE!!  And all we have to do is accept Him and believe.   Let us pray.