72-Thomas-C

THOMAS

    Thomas was another one of Jesus' apostles. Sometimes he understood things before the other apostles did.

     The night before Jesus died, Jesus told them he was going away and they couldn't join him there until later. It was Thomas who figured out Jesus was going to heaven.

     Thomas was very loyal to Jesus. Jesus' friend, Lazarus, died and Jesus wanted to go to his grave. But that was close to Jerusalem where people were trying to capture and kill Jesus.

     The apostles were afraid to go with Jesus. But Thomas said he would go with Jesus even if it meant dying with him. Then all the apostles got braver and decided to go with Jesus too.

     You might have heard about "Doubting Thomas." But none of the apostles believed Jesus came back to life until they saw him for themselves.

     Thomas was gone when Jesus appeared to the other ten apostles. Maybe he went to buy food for his friends.

     Thomas had a second name which means twin. Maybe he went to see his twin to talk about what happened to Jesus.

     Even though it was dangerous for Thomas to be out (they thought the soldiers were looking for them to crucify too), maybe Thomas had a disguise. Maybe he went to see his twin who had an old Navy uniform for him to wear so people wouldn't recognize him.

     Some people think he was born in a seaport. If so, he had likely been a sailor. The Roman navy went everywhere ~ to India and Spain, China and Britain. Some places did not want the Roman navy there. Thomas was used to being brave.

     But now Thomas was upset. He had abandoned ship in a way. He had deserted Jesus when he was going down. Thomas was sorry. He wanted Jesus to forgive him.

     When Thomas returned to the hideout, he didn't believe it when the other apostles said Jesus was alive. "I'll only believe if I can put my fingers in his hand and feet wounds."

     Of course the other ten apostles had said the same thing. So they waited for Jesus to return. A week later he did.

     This time Jesus made a point to talk to Thomas. After Thomas touched Jesus' wounds, he was the first to believe something very special. He was the first of all the apostles to call Jesus God.

     It's okay to wait to believe in Jesus until you are older. You may not be old enough yet to understand what things are sin, or to understand enough of the Bible that you believe its proofs about Jesus. But you will some day. Jesus will wait for you.