Doubting Thomas

It seems to me, that when most folks think about Jesus praying in the garden, the night of His arrest, they envision a Jesus excruciating over His own impending demise.

I had occasion, lately, to experience the very things I believe our Lord was actually concerned with.

Realizing that I, myself, could drop dead at any moment, my thoughts went straight to my children. Our family consists of 3: myself, my grown daughter and a grandson. These two depend on me, not for what I do, but for what I am in their lives. I am the rock of the family. They look to me for guidance and stability. What would this do to them?

I began to realize this is exactly what our Saviour experienced. What do you suppose was going through His mind, as He walked and dined with His friends and followers?

How many ways had He tried to gently prepare them and yet they remained oblivious of what was to come. Even the very eve of this new chapter in God's plan, as Jesus supped with His family, His followers, those who loved Him dearly, He approached the subject, knowing they still didn't quite catch on to what He was trying to tell them.

Jesus knew they would be lost without Him, that they would not understand. He knew they would eventually accept and understand but that interim period just after He breathes His last, they would be like lost children. These were His children.

His heart swelled with empathy for these innocent souls, knowing what they were about to experience. There was no possible way for Him to prepare them, although He had tried.

Just as you would, knowing that tomorrow you will die and your little children know nothing about it. They still play at your feet as though you will be there forever. They still punch each other and tease and whimper and tattle. You tell me. What would be going through your mind? What would you pray for? Would you be sweating blood?

Remember how each disciple reacted? Was Jesus right about them? Did Jesus know them, individually, more than any other?

While the others rushed off to see what Mary reported, the morning of His resurrection, Thomas remained. Why? Was it because Thomas' feelings ran deeper than the others? Was it because he was highly emotional and not wanting any more pain, refused to go look for fear of further disappointment? Had he not stretched himself beyond his capability to contend with the hurt?

Didn't Jesus demonstrate to us, that that was exactly the case? Didn't Jesus express more sympathy toward Thomas? Have you ever wondered why Jesus took the time to call Thomas to Him, and to cause Thomas to touch His nail scarred hands and actually pulled Thomas' hand into His own wounded side? Have you ever wondered about that? Did Jesus take so much time with the others? Was Jesus showing extra sympathy for Thomas' sensitive nature? Did Jesus understand something about Thomas that we today, miss?