Thomas is one of the main characters in John’s gospel (Christian Scriptures). Thomas is also known as Didymus. Both ‘Thomas (Hebrew) and Didymus (Greek)’ mean ‘twin.’ It is unfortunate that Thomas is often referred to as ‘Doubting Thomas,’ simply because he asks for evidence. And the way that evidence is presented to him is surprising and useful. Let’s put the idea of ‘Doubting Thomas aside for a moment and see what we can learn.
After Easter, after Jesus had been murdered by those in authority who were threatened by him, the disciples were fearful and gathered as a community on the first day of the week (Sunday). Fair enough too - someone had bumped the boss. I expect there would also have been confusion, and a real sense of “what do we do now?”
The gospel tells us Jesus appeared to the disciples in a locked room, but Thomas was missing. When the other disciples told Thomas, he says; “bah - unlikely, I don't believe ya.” Good call, bad call? “Good call Thomas.” Why would anyone believe a story like that?
At that point, Jesus appears to Thomas and yet Jesus is not recognised by Thomas. Jesus says to Thomas; “touch my wounds.” Thomas does so, and he gains spiritual insight, and says; “my Lord and my God.”
It all sounds a bit religious doesn't it? But there’s a good point to this. If you want to perceive God, or understand the meaning of life, then one of the requirements is the touching of wounds.
It might mean the touching of other people’s wounds, and it includes allowing others to touch ours. Are we prepared to be vulnerable ourselves, and are we prepared to embrace others who are hurting? Only then, will we perceive and understand.
It is perhaps wise to choose who we are prepared to be vulnerable with. We want to avoid any overshares, or rushing in, but we also want to avoid being cold and closed off. Measured people are smart people, and they know how to plough the middle ground. Let people earn your trust and look for evidence in their behaviours. Do they keep small things confidential? Do they listen with interest? Do they attempt to understand, and not try to fix things? If your friends tick these boxes, they may be worthy of your trust.
If you don't trust anyone at all and are not prepared to take a bit of a chance, you will not have intimacy either. You wont connect at a deeper level. If you don’t try, then you wont find much meaning in life. Or to put it in religious language, you’ll struggle to perceive God.
If I am going to let someone touch my wounds, I want them to be gentle, confidential, and kind. The great thing about wound-touching is that you connect at a deeper level, and surprisingly that brings about a strong sense of belonging.
So if that is what I want for myself, then that is what I ought offer to others as well. The same level of respect and care that I would want from them. That is the golden rule - do unto others what you’d have them do unto you.
This is essentially about vulnerability in relationship. Wounds are unpleasant and they don't make any sense, but they offer us an opportunity for deeper relationship. When we open a wound we open a relationship. When we do this we also open the door to a deeper level of a real and palpable faith.
Thomas is model of deeper relationship and coming to understand life through the eyes of faith, and living compassionately in the real world. He is not so much ‘Doubting Thomas,’ as many think. Rather he is a model of hope, trust, and relationship. He is a model of authentic living. "Compassionate Thomas" would be a more in alignment with what he portrays.
A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”
John 20:26-28 NRSV
