WHAT THOMAS MISSED!

WHAT THOMAS MISSED!

John 20:18-28

18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.

19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.

21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.

25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.

26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.

27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.

28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

          For whatever reason, Thomas was not present with the others at the first appearance of Jesus. Jesus showed up quite unexpectedly so no announcement had been made. This, I think, points out the fact that the most common church service can turn to tremendous an unexpected blessing and when we choose to miss church we chance the possibility of missing something wonderful.

          Thomas missed the fellowship of the other disciples. The disciples were assembled behind closed doors. Each one expressing his own fear of the Jews. Each one drawing strength from others who thought they had none. Thomas might have been encouraged by his friends but he missed it.

          Thomas missed the first amazing appearance of Jesus. The doors were closed but Jesus came through doors and walls. He missed the first pronouncement of peace. Because of this he endured eight more days of indecision, doubt and turmoil.

          Thomas missed the first presentation of Jesus’ hands and side. The very thing that Thomas demanded was given eight days before. Was Thomas really more doubtful than the rest? No, but the others had the advantage of a previous encounter with Jesus.

          Thomas missed receiving the Holy Spirit. Eight days earlier Jesus had breathed on the others and had given them the Holy Spirit. He also missed the commission; the “so send I you.” Thomas missed the clarification by Jesus of the importance of their mission. “Whosesoever sins you remit [to send forth] they are remitted unto them; and whosesoever sins ye retain [to hold fast] they are retained.” Thomas missed the overwhelming responsibility of mission.

          Thomas was given another opportunity. He was singled out personally and invited to thrust his finger into the nail holes but for Thomas it wasn’t necessary. He knew who addressed him and he said: “My Lord and my God.”  By our casual and careless attendance to important things we miss very much. Today has its own store of blessings. Don’t miss it!

Dear Lord, thank you for extending to us second and even third opportunities for blessing. AMEN