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."
Modern management literature has the concept of a "transformational" leader, a
leader who transforms the followers to adapt change. Let us focus on this aspect
of Thomas's character revealed in this verse.
Transformational leadership could be considered having four components:
Charisma, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation and individualized
consideration.
The Charisma of Thomas:
----------------------
Thomas was able to convince the others to follow Christ, even in the face of
death. By his personality, by his charisma, he was able to dispel their doubts,
and focus their minds on the goal to 'die with Him'. He spoke, and they were
assured in his conviction. Later as we see, all of them did follow Christ, even
unto death, and were filled by the power of the Holy Spirit from above. Looking
back at this critical moment which is the context of this verse, we see the Lord
using the charisma of Thomas to help the others make the all important decision
of "following Christ".
Inspirational Motivation:
------------------------
Thomas well understood the indecision that was boggling the minds of his
fellow-disciples. This verse puts him ahead of them as their inspirer, as their
motivator. His clarity in thinking helped them to shed any fears and move
forward.
Intellectual stimulation:
------------------------
We have to go with Christ, because we really want to die with Him. This was a
totally new creative way of thinking that Thomas is offering to the disciples.
There were others in the group who wanted to share in Christ's glory, to sit at
his right side, wanting to be ordained in the most important positions in his
kingdom, but here we see Thomas showing them the real reason they had ever
followed him - because they really wanted to die for Him, they wanted to die
with Him. It is a new direction being shown by Thomas - and this is the
direction each of the Apostles followed as they set about their mission later in
life - the direction shown by Thomas - "to die with the Lord". That
revolutionary thought stimulated their minds, filled them with passion and
raised them to a higher level of purpose. They found a new meaning for their
lives - "to die with the Lord". So they proceeded to Bethany.
Individualized Consideration:
----------------------------
"Let us also go.." Thomas is looking at each of the fellow apostles as intimate
friends. He knows each of them personally. He knows their background, what they
desire most, how they came out being in the company of Jesus, what their
innermost fears are concerning Christ etc. It is with this background that he is
each of them personally to follow Christ at this time. Thomas is able to reach
each of them individually. His appeal is personal, his request is sincere and
the result is immediate.
-------------
Thomas is able to articulate a vision for them. He is able to garner their
support for His Lord. Thomas is able to convince them to follow Christ to
Bethany.
True they were all scattered just a little while later and their faith shattered
on seeing their Master's fate. But they were to re-group soon afterwards in
Resurrection. At that time, these moments of courage of the past would have
given them much peace. At this solemn moment, which is the context of this
verse, Thomas our Apostle was able to convince the others to give up their fears
and follow Christ; he was the change-agent that acted from among them and
inspired them to emulate Christ even till death. His words aided to transform a
group of simple fishermen and common folk into strong believers with rock-like
faith in Christ.
This character of Thomas to "transform" his wards into a higher sense of being,
to focus their energies and channelise them towards a greater purpose, would
have been the tools that would have helped to build the seven and half churches
in Kerala. No wonder then that this Church of St. Thomas stands to witness this
faith shown by this great leader even to this day!
Christ is Risen!
Mathew Samuel
Albany, NY
Part 7: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IndianOrthodox/message/23435
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IndianOrthodox/message/23503
Therefore Thomas, who is called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples, "Let us
also go, so that we may die with Him."
Modern management literature has the concept of a "transformational" leader, a
leader who transforms the followers to adapt change. Let us focus on this aspect
of Thomas's character revealed in this verse.
Transformational leadership could be considered having four components:
Charisma, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation and individualized
consideration.
The Charisma of Thomas:
----------------------
Thomas was able to convince the others to follow Christ, even in the face of
death. By his personality, by his charisma, he was able to dispel their doubts,
and focus their minds on the goal to 'die with Him'. He spoke, and they were
assured in his conviction. Later as we see, all of them did follow Christ, even
unto death, and were filled by the power of the Holy Spirit from above. Looking
back at this critical moment which is the context of this verse, we see the Lord
using the charisma of Thomas to help the others make the all important decision
of "following Christ".
Inspirational Motivation:
------------------------
Thomas well understood the indecision that was boggling the minds of his
fellow-disciples. This verse puts him ahead of them as their inspirer, as their
motivator. His clarity in thinking helped them to shed any fears and move
forward.
Intellectual stimulation:
------------------------
We have to go with Christ, because we really want to die with Him. This was a
totally new creative way of thinking that Thomas is offering to the disciples.
There were others in the group who wanted to share in Christ's glory, to sit at
his right side, wanting to be ordained in the most important positions in his
kingdom, but here we see Thomas showing them the real reason they had ever
followed him - because they really wanted to die for Him, they wanted to die
with Him. It is a new direction being shown by Thomas - and this is the
direction each of the Apostles followed as they set about their mission later in
life - the direction shown by Thomas - "to die with the Lord". That
revolutionary thought stimulated their minds, filled them with passion and
raised them to a higher level of purpose. They found a new meaning for their
lives - "to die with the Lord". So they proceeded to Bethany.
Individualized Consideration:
----------------------------
"Let us also go.." Thomas is looking at each of the fellow apostles as intimate
friends. He knows each of them personally. He knows their background, what they
desire most, how they came out being in the company of Jesus, what their
innermost fears are concerning Christ etc. It is with this background that he is
each of them personally to follow Christ at this time. Thomas is able to reach
each of them individually. His appeal is personal, his request is sincere and
the result is immediate.
-------------
Thomas is able to articulate a vision for them. He is able to garner their
support for His Lord. Thomas is able to convince them to follow Christ to
Bethany.
True they were all scattered just a little while later and their faith shattered
on seeing their Master's fate. But they were to re-group soon afterwards in
Resurrection. At that time, these moments of courage of the past would have
given them much peace. At this solemn moment, which is the context of this
verse, Thomas our Apostle was able to convince the others to give up their fears
and follow Christ; he was the change-agent that acted from among them and
inspired them to emulate Christ even till death. His words aided to transform a
group of simple fishermen and common folk into strong believers with rock-like
faith in Christ.
This character of Thomas to "transform" his wards into a higher sense of being,
to focus their energies and channelise them towards a greater purpose, would
have been the tools that would have helped to build the seven and half churches
in Kerala. No wonder then that this Church of St. Thomas stands to witness this
faith shown by this great leader even to this day!
Christ is Risen!
Mathew Samuel
Albany, NY
Part 7: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IndianOrthodox/message/23435
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IndianOrthodox/message/23503
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