TA'MO HA'KODESH; "THOMAS THE HOLY" of DOUBT and VICTORY"

To know the joys and richness of the bounty of faith remains the heavenly treasures of the soul for all. Maintaining the fullness of faith amid today's challenges is a perpetual uphill challenge within the world in which we live. We are by nature skeptics before one another. There will always be some who are skeptical, though this is often more from an individual quandary of perception in the mind of the skeptic than most might imagine. In the experience of Ta'mo (Thomas) illustrates (Book of Yochanan/John 20:24–29), Yehoshua (Jesus) knows how to reach the hearts of the meager in faith. Let us peer into the story of Thomas and what he may have gone through as he began to linger alone in his skepticism for a troublesome eight long days. We gather from the gospel of Yochanan (John) with accounts also revealed in all four of the synoptic Gospels in hopes of bringing the reader to achieve a newfound understanding and appreciation to the remembrance of Thomas's mindful journey of fret through those greatly important eight days.

Yehoshua’s almost unspeakable death was painful to all who bore witness, confounding to many and in its wake, had left Believers and Non-Believers alike absolutely stunned. As Yehoshua received the loving welcome of a king upon the donkey (Matthew’s account is different in that he reports Yehoshua rode in upon two donkeys; a donkey and a Colt or baby donkey) in through the Eastern Golden Gate of the Temple mount. Having been welcomed into Jerusalem with a reception of a king, He would be dead on the tree before the week was over. When in the time the shepherd was treated very fondly by those who felt His presence offensive, as the shepherd was struck, the sheep scattered (Book of Markos/Mark 14:27). The disciples reconstituted again in secret, hiding in a room above a tavern in Jerusalem.

On that Sunday, came an unexpected turn of events astonishing all. Miriam (Mary Magdalene) made declaration she had seen Yehoshua very much alive that very morning. True, Yehoshua’s body vanishing from the tomb where He was laid to rest was a confounding conundrum. Yet, everyone knew the man who was developing a reputation as "the bread of life" was truly dead. No one could find Miriam's claim credible, except for, perhaps Yochanan. Then, later in the day, Cepheus (Simon-Peter),in the Book of Yochanan/John 1:42) states also that he had seen Yehoshua in the flesh. This greatly troubled Ta'om (Thomas). He figured he could cut Cepheus (Peter) some slack. After denying our Master publicly, who could blame Cepheus for desperately wishing it to be true?

Then Cleopas burst into the room Sunday night claiming that Yehoshua had yet walked! Cleopas then walked with Yehoshua to Emmaus that afternoon (Book of Lukos/Luke 24:13–35). What Thomas found particularly hard to believe was that Cleopas and his friend hadn’t noticed Yehoshua the entire time until dinner, and then poof! Our Lord had merely vanished. Well, while this excited everyone else, however, Thomas only felt agitated. He desperately missed Yehoshua too, but he wasn’t going to let grief make him believe in the bizarre, after all, Yehoshua was dead. Yet he didn’t feel like dousing everyone’s unrealistic hope with a wet blanket of reality. They weren’t ready to hear it anyway. Thomas decided he needed to clear his head with a walk, and so he did so alone.

After whispering a discreet excuse to Nathaniel, Thomas left without notice. After being very careful not to betray the hideout, he covered his head and started down an empty street. The quiet evening air was refreshing, but the walk wasn’t as helpful as he had hoped. The sightings of Yehoshua disturbed him, especially because the witnesses were credible. He knew them. They weren’t liars. They weren’t unstable. None were given to delusions. Cepheus, particularly, was so sound reason. A rush of memories from the past three years flowed through the mind of Cepheus. He had seen so many things that would have been unbelievable if he hadn’t seen them for himself. Most haunting right now, was Lazarus. Suddenly Ta'mo recalled Yehoshua had seemed to know that He was going to die in Jerusalem. He had said those strange things about His death and resurrection.

At once, Ta'mo realized he was arguing with himself. His agitation really wasn’t over his friends’ failure to face the facts. The facts, in fact, had become confusing. He was agitated because part of him actually believed Yehoshua walks and was alive again. That’s what Yehoshua had meant, wasn’t it? Yet, this frustrated the skeptic in him who took pride in being a man of common sense. A resurrection just seemed too incredible to be true. The more he thought, the less sure he became. No one knew where Yehoshua’s body was. Those who claimed to have seen Him were people He trusted. It would make sense of certain prophecies. His skeptic side shouted within him, 'show me the body'! At least Lazarus could be seen and touched in Bethany by any doubter following his healing at the baths. If Yehoshua were indeed alive, wouldn’t He simply show Himself to them all? He would believe Ben elohim (Son of G-d) was alive if he saw Him alive for himself.

When Ta'mo returned to the room, four of his friends pounced on him (Book of Yochanan/John 20:24), “We have seen the Lord, Thomas! It’s all true! He was just with us! Where were you”? Thomas felt a surge of shock and unbelief. Then he felt regret for having left leaving him feeling even more isolated. He was the only one who hadn’t seen Jesus. In self-pity-fueled anger, he blurted out with more conviction than he felt, “Unless I see in His hands the mark of the nails and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe” (Book of Yochanan/John 20:25).

Most of his friends were dismayed. Cepheus just watched him, smiling slightly. The contiguous eight days were long and lonely for Thomas. His friends were gracious. No one debated him. It was, in fact, their calm confidence in Yehoshua’s resurrection that aggravated Ta'mo's growing conviction that he was wrong. Outside he tried to maintain an appearance of resolute intellectual skepticism, though inside he was wrestling and agonizing and wanting more than anything to see Yehoshua for himself.

Then it happened! Ta'mo was staring at the floor, feeling deflated again under the fear that maybe Yehoshua had rejected him because of his stubborn disbelief. If so, he knew he deserved it. Then someone gasped... Ta'mo looked up and his heart leaped into his throat! Our Rock and Redeemer was standing across the room looking at him. “Peace be with you” (John 20:26). Ta'mo could hardly breathe. Then Yehoshua spoke these words…. “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe” (Book of Yochanan/John 20:27). All objections and resistance in Ta'mo vanished. In tears of repentance, relief, and worship Ta'mo dropped on his knees before Yehoshua and exclaimed, “My Lord and my God!” (Book of Yochanan/John 20:2).

We must learn patience and grace with the skeptics in our lives. We should not presume their outward confidence accurately reflects their inward condition. we must continue to pray for them and share what seems helpful when appropriate. We must continue confidently and with humility to follow the teachings of Yehoshua. We must trust in Elohim's (G-d's) timing. Elohim Avinu (G-d our Father) knows best the means with which and the timing to reveal Himself to each of us. It is in patient faith and contented peace in our unwavering belief in our Yehoshua, we whom doubtlessly will truly come to know the fullness of the presence of our our Rock and our Redeemer who travels with us ALWAYS.

From time to time, we permit ourselves the unfortunate ease of doubt. Our truest strength in return from the disturbance of doubt is the rock of faith, blessed certainty among the love of Ha' Moshiach (The Anointed One). For only in gratitude and unwavering faith shall we truly know our Lord of great graces,

Pastor Mark