April 19, 2009

“A Place For Doubt”

JOHN 20:19-29

Rev. Dr. R. Tim Meadows

Doubt is among the most common of human emotions. So, it is no surprise that doubt is among the reactions to the Resurrection, in fact, it is really the primary reaction. Thomas, the lead character in today’s New Testament lesson becomes the name and face of doubt, but in truth, Thomas simply said what many of the others felt. Doubt reigned around the resurrection, because it seemed so unlikely.

I must tell you; I like Thomas! He is a guy with whom I can relate. I remember early in my college days playing one of those parlor games likely common to denominational colleges, engaged in by good religion students, some of whom were also identified as “preacher boys”. The game involved identifying someone else in the group and telling them which member of Jesus’ inner circle they were most like, and why you thought so. I do not remember who it was, but I shall never forget the identification I was given. Tim, the person said, understand that I mean this as a compliment; but you remind me of Thomas. You do not accept anything at face value, and you always ask the tough questions we all want to, but are afraid to ask. The only response I could offer was thank you because this person had clearly described who I understood myself to be.

Thomas the doubter. Thomas the realist. Thomas the brave. As we seek to live with resurrection faith, what do we learn from Thomas?

I. Doubt Is A Common Human Experience: I once heard said, that one who has never doubted has never thought deeply. Doubt comes from many sources; a lack of information, previous experience that suggests certain trends, fear, etc. Wherever it comes from, doubt seems to be our constant companion. This is why Thomas’ story should not surprise us, but should encourage us, as we make our journey through life and faith. I would like to tell you that all doubt is eventually resolved. That all doubt has some clear significant life lesson that becomes certain as we resolve the doubt. That there is a formula for working through doubt that is fail – safe if followed. But, I cannot tell you that, what I can tell you, is that to doubt is to be human.

II. We Need Thomas To Be Honest And To Keep Us Honest: While the difficulty and anxiety of doubt is sometimes hard for us personally, it can be even more difficult and anxious to watch others wrestle with doubt. Our temptation is to give the answer we think they need and short circuit their process of doubt. Our temptation is to tell them to grow up and get over it. Our temptation is often realized and the result is that it isolates the doubter from our community. While we often find little to commend the inner circle of Jesus for, their treatment of Thomas is one of those places we can commend them. They do not isolate him. They do not ostracize him. They simply seem to remain present with him and count him as a member of the community. They recognize that Thomas the person is more important than Thomas the believer. They recognize that Thomas the doubter looks a lot like they did when they wrestled with doubt. They seemed to understand that it is essential to have a place to safely express your doubt and fear and they provide that place for Thomas, knowing they have and will need that place themselves.

III. Thomas Needs Us To Provide A Safe Place To Explore His Experience: Just as we need Thomas to be honest and to keep us honest, Thomas needs us. While we may make each other uncomfortable in our periods of doubt, it is safer for us to work through them together than alone. The danger of orthodoxy enforcement is that it may force needy vulnerable people from the safety and security of community. Thomas in his doubt may be bitter, surly, and difficult, but he is one of us and he needs us and his need is what Jesus calls us to respond to. Thomas is going to have enough to work through, and he does not need the added complication of being alone or having to seek a new community.

If we agree that doubt is a common experience and that we and Thomas need each other, then what do we do?

1. Provide An Open Honest Safe Place To Explore Faith: A place where the question is as holy and important as the answer. A place where the faithful and the doubter stand together seeking grace.

2. Support Thomas Without Judgment: People are always more important than principles. People are our primary value. Thomas will receive enough judgment from others, what he needs from us is unconditional love.

3. Accept Thomas Without Condition: If Thomas were perfect he would not need us, if we were perfect we would not need Thomas. The niche for perfection is filled, what Thomas needs is a place where we accept him for who he is, no matter what!

May God give us the grace to be the place Thomas can work through his doubt. AMEN!