Mon., Dec. 22, 2014 – St. Thomas – John 14:1-7

Thomas said to [Jesus], “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” (John 14:5, NRSV)

During my internship year, I served at a congregation that had a history of incorporating drama into their special services. At one of these services, I was tasked with presenting a monologue delivered from the point of view of the apostle Thomas. Since “inhabiting” this character for the better part of a month in preparation for that service, I have found myself compelled to defend Thomas at every opportunity from the charge that he was somehow less faithful than the rest of the disciples. Thomas was a realist. He trusted deeply in his Lord and Teacher – see, for example, his heroic charge to the disciples when they learned they would be going to Bethany to visit Lazarus with the threat of arrest looming over them (John 11:16) – but he was also bold in asking questions of Jesus. During this time of Advent, we are called – like Thomas – both to trust and to call out to our God, confident that God is big enough to bear our cries and our questions.

Ever-living God, you strengthened your apostle Thomas with firm and certain faith in the resurrection of our Son. Grant that we too may confess our faith in Jesus Christ, our Lord and our God, for he lives and reigns with you and thee Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (From Evangelical Lutheran Worship)

– Pastor Andrew Chavanak