Dismantling Our Defenses

Eight days. Eight long, maddening days. Over and over, the 10 apostles told their story: "We saw Jesus! He's alive!" Still no matter what they said, fellow apostle and consummate doubter Thomas refused to believe. Nothing was good enough to dispel his cynicism. For instance, here are a few of the indicators that pointed to Jesus' resurrection: left-behind grave cloths, angel words, detailed stories from women who went to the tomb, Peter's own personal visit from Jesus that Sunday afternoon, the excited comments of two trusted followers walking with Christ to Emmaus, and the admission of 10 of the 12 gathered in the upper room, where Jesus appeared to them.

Nothing.

In fact, it seems the more details they shared, the more Thomas dug in his heels. Toward the end Thomas was to the point of embarrassing himself. Perhaps it was anger, hurt and pride, but he clung to his skepticism: "Unless I see in His hands the mark of the nails and put my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into His side, I will never believe" (see John 20: 24-29).

Now that's someone who's determined to hang on to his unbelief.

Do you have a "Thomas" in your life? Is there a husband or wife - or girlfriend or boyfriend -- who doesn't believe? Is there a child who has wandered from the faith? Do you have a brother or sister whose mind is made up? How about someone at work or a close friend? Are they locking you out? How do you reach someone who refuses to be reached? What do you do with a doubting Thomas?

Thank God for Thomas' unbelief -- no, not the unbelief itself -- but for what that unbelief teaches us about sharing the Good News with others.

Have you ever shared your faith, only to see that doing so seemed to make that person even more resistant to Jesus' message? Did you feel like a failure? Did you ever wonder on occasion if sharing your faith was a mistake?

The other disciples teach us not to give up. They kept sharing. Perhaps, they even reminded Thomas of all the experiences they had shared together in Jesus' presence as well as all the miracles they had seen. There were all the blind who received their sight, the lame who walked, the deaf who heard, the lepers who were cleansed. Together they had seen Jesus multiply bread and fish. They could remind him of that fearful time on the Sea of Galilee when they thought the boat would sink and they would all drown, only to have Jesus wake up and speak a word, stopping the winds, stilling the sea, and bringing calm to the storm. They could remind Thomas of Jesus walking on the water to them.

Who could forget that?

They might have said, "What about those times we watched Jesus square off against death and defeat it? There was that young daughter of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. She had just died when Jesus raised her. Then when we entered the town of Nain and met the funeral procession carrying the widow's son out to burial -- and Jesus raised him hours after his death. And how can we forget Lazarus, dead and buried four days, and yet Jesus was able to overcome death (and stench) and restore him to life? Is it really that big a stretch to think Jesus Himself could rise from the dead?"

When our friends reject the faith we share, we don't reject them. We keep strengthening the bonds of our friendship, watching and praying for the best time to share our faith again.

I always wondered why Jesus waited a whole week: eight long days to show Himself. Maybe it was to teach us it is not our job to convince or persuade someone to believe. After all, if it was in the apostles' power to make someone believe, shouldn't eight days have been enough for Thomas? Luther had it right: "I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ my Lord, or come to Him." And we cannot by our own reason or strength lead someone else to believe in Him.

All the disciples could do was faithfully share what they knew. All we can do is faithfully share what we know. Be patient, kind, and gentle. Build up that relationship and shake off frustration. Also, don't badger them as if it was up to us and our efforts to bring them to faith.

It was in God the Father's good time that Jesus finally came back to that upper room on the eighth day. No disciple could bring Thomas to believe. It was Jesus' visit and the power of the Holy Spirit that finally shattered his unbelief. "Thomas, put your finger in My hand, stretch out your hand and put it into My side. Stop doubting -- no, stop refusing to believe -- and believe!" (See John 20:27.)

Finally, the truth sunk in. "My Lord and my God!"

It was Jesus' visit that worked faith in Thomas, and it is His visit to our friends, coworkers, family and loved ones through the Gospel we share that the Holy Spirit works saving faith, even among those who seem most resistant.

Thank God for Thomas' unbelief -- but far more for his repentant belief.

Are there people in your life who flat out will have nothing to do with God's love -- or His promise of a better life through His Son Jesus Christ?

If you've had such an experience talking to people about Jesus, your faith, and the bigger picture, just click here and share your story.