TRAUMA-Doubting Thomas, John, and me.
We have all heard of doubting Thomas, who would not believe unless he could touch Jesus, even though he spent years with the Son of God practically every day. He had heard Jesus' words and teachings, but after his eyes saw the bloody death of his friend on a Roman cross, he had doubts about the fantastic stories of Jesus coming back from the dead. It was not until eight days after the cross that Jesus came to Thomas. This delay likely caused even more doubt.
Thomas and the other disciples went from scared-sniffling disciples on that Sunday morning to bold followers of Christ when Jesus appeared to them, and they remembered His promise that "He would rise again!" There is something powerful about believing and trusting in a Savior who overcomes death! Amen?
But did you know that prophetic John the Baptist had doubts? Although John proclaimed Jesus as the "Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world" and the coming Messiah, he wondered if maybe he had made a mistake. John's faith compelled him to say, "I must decrease that He might increase. " He had seen the Spirit of God fall on Jesus and heard the words from heaven, "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased," but he wondered if Jesus was really the Messiah or if everyone should be looking for someone else. Why? Because John was still in jail and had trauma! He expected Jesus to free him!
Both Thomas and John had experience trauma in their lives. For Thomas, it was a crucified, dead friend and Savior. For John it was a dark, smelly prison cell expecting Jesus to free him...but it never came.
When John's disciples asked if Jesus was really the Messiah that was to come, they, like John, showed they had misinterpreted the Scripture and had doubts. The prevailing belief then was that the Messiah would come like a King and free the Jews from the bondage of the Romans. Why was John not released? Why had Jesus not proclaimed Himself king?
Thomas was emboldened when Jesus appeared to the disciples and allowed them to touch Jesus glorified skin and bones. Jesus was not some whispy spirit, but flesh and bones (Luke 24:39)
John was encouraged by the message from Jesus, even though he remained in jail. When he rightly understood the mission of the Messiah (Jesus), he regained his faith in Christ. (See Isaiah 61: 1-2)
Thomas' desire was answered. John's expectation of freedom was not. Jesus told Thomas that those who have not seen but believe are blessed (John 20:29). That is you and I. We can't base our faith on Thomas' experience, but John's experience gives us a blueprint for faith.
Do we doubt when we expect one thing from God, and it never comes? Have we misinterpreted Scripture and therefore expect something based on our own feelings? When trauma comes, do we look to Jesus or wallow in our trauma? Do we have the faith of Job and the three young men who faced Nebuchadnezzar to trust God no matter what the circumstance?
"Though He slays me, yet will I trust Him." Job 13:15
"...our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”Daniel 3:16-18
Faith is real if it trusts God's will and not our own circumstances or expectations. Jesus' prayer to the Father should be ours.
"Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” Luke 22:42
“Do not be afraid; only believe (trust).”