John 11:16
Therefore Thomas, who is called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples, "Let us
also go, so that we may die with Him."
Lazarus is dead (v 14). Jesus did not go meet Lazarus even though he heard that
Lazarus was sick. Given the circumstances that they were in, what with the
authorities trying to kill Jesus, the disciples would have been greatly relieved
by Jesus's decision not to venture close to Jerusalem. (Bethany was 2 miles from
the city).
But here, we see Jesus changing track - Jesus tells them his decision to go to
Bethany - after Lazarus had died.(v 15). "WHAT!!??" would have been the first
reaction of the apostles (read the context in v 8). 'If you had to go, you
should have gone when your friend was alive, whats the use now?' would have been
a silent retort from them. "Do you even realize the danger you are putting
yourself (not to mention us) in?"
Maybe driven by fear a few of them may have started having suspicions about the
intentions of Jesus.
It is at this critical juncture that we see the character of Thomas getting
revealed to posterity. "Let us also go" is a persuasive urge to the others who
are not very sure of what to do. Thomas is shining as a leader of the apostles
here. His role is being revealed as a great motivator, an energetic man of
action, a leader of men.
At this prime moment we see the disciples looking at each other for a leader.
Jesus throws them into a whirlpool of confusion by saying "let us go to
him(Lazarus)". Go to Lazarus? He is dead! Why risk our lives also now?
Imagine the grim tense silence that would have followed Jesus's utterance of
verse 15. Not one among them was willing to follow Jesus at that critical point.
They had followed Jesus seeing his mighty acts of healing and were feeling
pretty safe in his company. But lately, they were not very sure of his
intentions and power. Jesus had "appointed" them as apostles, and now Jesus was
starting to ask them to put their hands up to be counted. Jesus was starting to
put responsibilities on them.
He is asking his apostles to take their cross and follow him.
Hence Jesus speaks with authority as he commands them "let us go to
him(Lazarus)".
It is not a question asking them if they are willing to come with him to
Bethany. It is an authoritative request "expecting" their compliance. Yet we see
that the disciples were not very sure if they wanted to come. They were yet not
sure if they wanted the cross of being close to Jesus who seems to be a marked
man.
It is at this time that we see Thomas rising above the rest "Let us also go".
Jesus will not go alone. We will go with him. Thomas is speaking as one among
the Apostles. He had their confidence, he had their trust, he was their leader.
Yes in that particular moment in history the Apostles had only one leader who
could urge them to follow Christ and it was Thomas.
Only a person with confidence in himself and a complete focus in his mission can
motivate others to march ahead. This character trait was very important for
Thomas as he had to deal with preaching the Gospel in India and guiding the
faithful in the midst of innumerable challenges and difficulties. The first
Catholicose of the East, our father St. Thomas, was a great motivator of men and
a leader among the Apostles.
Christ is Risen!
Mathew Samuel
Albany, NY
Part 6:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IndianOrthodox/message/23406
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IndianOrthodox/message/23435
Therefore Thomas, who is called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples, "Let us
also go, so that we may die with Him."
Lazarus is dead (v 14). Jesus did not go meet Lazarus even though he heard that
Lazarus was sick. Given the circumstances that they were in, what with the
authorities trying to kill Jesus, the disciples would have been greatly relieved
by Jesus's decision not to venture close to Jerusalem. (Bethany was 2 miles from
the city).
But here, we see Jesus changing track - Jesus tells them his decision to go to
Bethany - after Lazarus had died.(v 15). "WHAT!!??" would have been the first
reaction of the apostles (read the context in v 8). 'If you had to go, you
should have gone when your friend was alive, whats the use now?' would have been
a silent retort from them. "Do you even realize the danger you are putting
yourself (not to mention us) in?"
Maybe driven by fear a few of them may have started having suspicions about the
intentions of Jesus.
It is at this critical juncture that we see the character of Thomas getting
revealed to posterity. "Let us also go" is a persuasive urge to the others who
are not very sure of what to do. Thomas is shining as a leader of the apostles
here. His role is being revealed as a great motivator, an energetic man of
action, a leader of men.
At this prime moment we see the disciples looking at each other for a leader.
Jesus throws them into a whirlpool of confusion by saying "let us go to
him(Lazarus)". Go to Lazarus? He is dead! Why risk our lives also now?
Imagine the grim tense silence that would have followed Jesus's utterance of
verse 15. Not one among them was willing to follow Jesus at that critical point.
They had followed Jesus seeing his mighty acts of healing and were feeling
pretty safe in his company. But lately, they were not very sure of his
intentions and power. Jesus had "appointed" them as apostles, and now Jesus was
starting to ask them to put their hands up to be counted. Jesus was starting to
put responsibilities on them.
He is asking his apostles to take their cross and follow him.
Hence Jesus speaks with authority as he commands them "let us go to
him(Lazarus)".
It is not a question asking them if they are willing to come with him to
Bethany. It is an authoritative request "expecting" their compliance. Yet we see
that the disciples were not very sure if they wanted to come. They were yet not
sure if they wanted the cross of being close to Jesus who seems to be a marked
man.
It is at this time that we see Thomas rising above the rest "Let us also go".
Jesus will not go alone. We will go with him. Thomas is speaking as one among
the Apostles. He had their confidence, he had their trust, he was their leader.
Yes in that particular moment in history the Apostles had only one leader who
could urge them to follow Christ and it was Thomas.
Only a person with confidence in himself and a complete focus in his mission can
motivate others to march ahead. This character trait was very important for
Thomas as he had to deal with preaching the Gospel in India and guiding the
faithful in the midst of innumerable challenges and difficulties. The first
Catholicose of the East, our father St. Thomas, was a great motivator of men and
a leader among the Apostles.
Christ is Risen!
Mathew Samuel
Albany, NY
Part 6:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IndianOrthodox/message/23406
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IndianOrthodox/message/23435
No comments:
Post a Comment