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The Gospel of John, The Period of Conflict - The Clash of Belief and Unbelief, The Raising of Lazarus, Part XCIII, John 11:16 - Lesson 90
Read Verses John 11:14,15, for review:
Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.
John 11:16, Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.
Jesus said that Lazarus had died so the his disciples may believe.
Thomas says here that the result of Lazarus' death will be the disciples death.
Thomas, your leaning!
Thomas, start trusting!
Note that Thomas said this to his fellow disciples rather than to the Lord.
It is our nature to be indirect.
Few of us express ourselves directly to the person that we are offended by.
We chose to murmur to others.
Now the Hebrew meaning of Thomas and the meaning of Didymus is twin.
He had a twin personality as do most of us.
Thomas's personality is revealed here as pessimistic but mixed with loyalty and faith.
He says here that going to Judea will no doubt result in the death of Christ, but he is willing to go die with him.
Pessimist and loyalist. Weak faith, strong affection.
How human of him.
Had not Christ said, I go, that I may awaken him out of sleep?
How difficult it is for us to believe the clear word of God.
Later in the Book of John we see how Thomas doubted the resurrection of Christ.
However when he was convinced of the miracle he made an historic confession of faith.
So Thomas reveals himself here as loyal to the person of Jesus Christ but despondent and despairing of a long life with him.
Are we any different on a day by day basis.
Do we at all times exhibit faith in God or are we also like Paul who said in:
Romans 7:19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
Like Thomas we are all faithless at times, |