Most of us are familiar with the idea of giving someone the “Benefit Of The Doubt”. Like choosing to trust that someone’s intentions are good despite uncertainty or evidence suggesting otherwise. It is a choice to assume innocence rather than assuming guilt or malice when faced with mysterious circumstances.
This week, as we continue our Easter Teaching Series: FOREVER CHANGED, I think we should apply that popular phrase, “Benefit Of The Doubt”, to one of the disciples in the Easter account who very often is not seen in a positive light. I’m referring to Thomas, “the twin”. Could it be that Thomas gets a bad rap?
The powerful 20th century preacher, J. Vernon McGee referred to him as “the apostle from Missouri, the Show Me State”. Inferring that Thomas’ mindset was, “yeah, you got to show me before I’ll believe anything.” Others have called Thomas the patron saint of skeptics. I heard one pastor who asked, “If we made the apostles into Winnie the Pooh characters who would they be?” Then he suggested that Peter would be Tigger and Thomas would be Eeyore the Donkey, the ultimate pessimistic doubter!
Could it be that we are assuming things about the Apostle Thomas that aren’t necessarily true? Could it be that he, and one event from his life, could be terribly misunderstood?
Join us for this message, as we look at the unique encounter Thomas had with Jesus one week after the Resurrection and learn how any doubts we have, could be FOREVER CHANGED into deep faith!
Pastor Joe Still
