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."
Thomas had no illusions about the fate that awaited him if he followed Christ to
Bethany that day. He knew Jesus was in grave danger of being caught and probably
killed by the Jewish leaders. By being with Jesus he was putting his own life in
danger.
It was probably easy for anyone else at that moment to take a step back,
probably stand behind one of his more outspoken companions like Peter, and wait
for the others to act first(or rather not act at all). But here we see another
wonderful character element of Thomas. He was his own man. His relationship with
Christ is getting revealed here. It was not because of anyone else, it was not
through anyone else, it was not for anyone else that he had followed Christ. His
relationship with His Master was a personal bond. There was no one else in
between. It was not because of Peter, or James or John, or anyone else that he
had become an Apostle. That is why, in that moment of truth, Thomas felt
compelled to speak out. He did not say "If Peter goes, I will also go". In fact
it was the other way round, Peter and the others did exactly what Thomas urged
them to do.
When others are found wanting for words and action, Thomas steps up - and leads.
It is in the context of this personal, special and precious bond with the Lord
that we must understand his emotion on missing the opportunity of meeting the
risen Lord later, and it is in the context of this unique bond with Thomas that
we must understand the Lord's invitation to "touch" his glorified Body[as we
will see later]
Such a person with an independent and uncluttered mind, with the ability to
think on his feet in trying circumstances was chosen by the Lord in His infinite
wisdom to establish and shepherd to the Church of the East. Something we can all
be proud of! And his prayers for us are our strong fortresses even today.
Christ is Risen!
Mathew Samuel
Albany, NY
Part 8:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IndianOrthodox/message/23503
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IndianOrthodox/message/23515
Therefore Thomas, who is called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples, "Let us
also go, so that we may die with Him."
Thomas had no illusions about the fate that awaited him if he followed Christ to
Bethany that day. He knew Jesus was in grave danger of being caught and probably
killed by the Jewish leaders. By being with Jesus he was putting his own life in
danger.
It was probably easy for anyone else at that moment to take a step back,
probably stand behind one of his more outspoken companions like Peter, and wait
for the others to act first(or rather not act at all). But here we see another
wonderful character element of Thomas. He was his own man. His relationship with
Christ is getting revealed here. It was not because of anyone else, it was not
through anyone else, it was not for anyone else that he had followed Christ. His
relationship with His Master was a personal bond. There was no one else in
between. It was not because of Peter, or James or John, or anyone else that he
had become an Apostle. That is why, in that moment of truth, Thomas felt
compelled to speak out. He did not say "If Peter goes, I will also go". In fact
it was the other way round, Peter and the others did exactly what Thomas urged
them to do.
When others are found wanting for words and action, Thomas steps up - and leads.
It is in the context of this personal, special and precious bond with the Lord
that we must understand his emotion on missing the opportunity of meeting the
risen Lord later, and it is in the context of this unique bond with Thomas that
we must understand the Lord's invitation to "touch" his glorified Body[as we
will see later]
Such a person with an independent and uncluttered mind, with the ability to
think on his feet in trying circumstances was chosen by the Lord in His infinite
wisdom to establish and shepherd to the Church of the East. Something we can all
be proud of! And his prayers for us are our strong fortresses even today.
Christ is Risen!
Mathew Samuel
Albany, NY
Part 8:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IndianOrthodox/message/23503
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IndianOrthodox/message/23515
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