To the editor:
I have always been intrigued with the gospel account of Thomas the apostle, who may have stood in for all of humanity, even those who, like him, may have had their doubts. It may be that he had a unique role in God’s plan for the 12 apostles. I feel it was Thomas with his “I won’t believe until I am shown” attitude who stood in for us on a very special day.
Jesus had just previously appeared to all the apostles after the Resurrection — all except for Thomas. Scripture doesn’t tell us why Thomas was absent on the first time Jesus appeared to His disciples in the upper room. I feel inspired to say to Thomas, “Whatever [the] reason for your absence, we just want to thank you ever so much for missing that first meeting.” Thomas, I believe, would say, “Why would you want to thank me for being absent?”
It’s like this. Thomas didn’t know it at the time, but with multiple billions of other believers who couldn’t attend that first meeting, many may have had doubts just like his. Therefore, I believe Jesus in his divine wisdom allowed Thomas to miss the first meeting since he knew many of us believers with our doubts today wouldn’t be there either. I am eternally grateful for Thomas speaking his mind about his doubts to help us truly believe in Jesus and what he did for all of us.
The Bible says Jesus spoke these words: “Peace be with you, Thomas. Take your finger and examine my hands. Put your hand into my side. Do not persist in your unbelief, but believe. You became a believer because you saw me. Blest are they who have not seen and have believed.”
I believe Thomas’ eyes and hands became our eyes and hands on that wonderful day.
Peter Pinette
Woodland
