Readings:
Sermon:
Two twins were talking in the womb, on twin said:
“Well I don’t see Mother, so it’s logical that She doesn’t exist” ….because, as we all know, ‘Seeing is Believing’!
For some of you listening to me today - it could be that you need to see God, or at least see something that you would accept as proof of God, in order for you to really believe that He exists or that Jesus is risen from the dead - and then perhaps it may still take a lot more than that - for YOU to really and whole-heartedly trust in God.
Thomas, who is often referred to as ‘Doubting Thomas’, was otherwise known as Didymus – meaning ‘the twin’. We don’t know who his twin was and we don’t know what the conversation was like between them in their mother’s womb.
Was Thomas always – from before he was even born - the Doubter – I wonder?
Well, if he was, then I want you to consider that a). he was called by Jesus despite his propensity to doubt – and that b). it was Thomas, and not his twin, who actually became the Apostle.
I wonder how many of you listening to me today have doubts about God – or that Jesus is risen and alive - maybe even those of you who may come across to others as strong religious believers?
You may not believe this, but sometimes I, the Rev, as they call me at school, have been asked by students whether I believe in God. Not sure what I think about being asked that particular question. However, some have asked me about how much faith I have - and whether I have any doubts!
Do I have doubts? – of course, I do.
The existence of suffering is something that causes me to have some doubts. And maybe you identify with that too.
Many people who cannot commit to Faith in God – at least publicly – will speak about suffering – about natural disasters or about wars, like those in the world today, and maybe about someone close to them in great pain – and they will say – surely, if there is a God then this would not happen.
It is, I think, the number one reason for people NOT to commit to believing and trusting in God. I understand – but doubts actually can help when it comes to faith. Because asking questions, helps us to get answers, and we should not just know WHAT we do, or do not, believe - but we should also know WHY.
Thomas was a doubter, but his doubts had a purpose – he wanted to know the truth. He did not live a LIFE of doubt. He didn’t go around with this great big chip of doubt on his shoulder. You see someone with doubt, like Thomas, is like someone standing on one foot – asking a question – wanting an answer – and looking to take a step.
And that step can either be forwards or backwards. But there is no movement until the foot comes down – unless, I guess, if you stay on one foot so long that you lose your balance OR you decide to stay in the same place!
How many people want to believe but something holds them back?
But doubts are an important part of the Journey of Faith.
Even Jesus had them – on the cross he cried out to God, “Father, why have you forsaken me?”
Thomas had a big doubt about the Resurrection of Jesus. “Only if I see - will I believe,” he said to the other 10 who had seen Jesus alive. 10 to 1 against, but he had to see for himself.
And surely you should not believe just because others do.
Seeing IS Believing – IF the evidence can be tested and proven beyond a shadow of a doubt, to be true! But we live our lives in all sorts of ways believing without actually seeing and always being absolutely sure.
Seeing IS Believing – but I’m not so sure that it has to be that way around.
When Thomas, a week later – what a long week that must have been – saw Jesus alive for himself – Jesus said to him, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
We might want to see the proof first but often the proof comes afterwards – because sometimes ‘Believing is Seeing’.
As we take a step of faith – a step forwards – God confirms our faith – he rewards us with the knowledge that He is for real. Faith is not just about standing on one foot and deciding to take a step forwards – but I would suggest that it’s like putting one toe in the sea and then another and then a foot and then the other foot and finally you find that you’re swimming. I don’t know about you, but I am not the kind of person who jumps straight in because I’m likely to jump straight out again, when I know just how cold it really is - or just how deep it is!
So, for me, Faith is not about jumping in with both feet.
So, do I have doubts? Yes - of course, I do.
Have I ever seen God? No - well not physically.
Is it easy being a believer? Yes and No.
Yes, because I live here – I am not persecuted because of what I believe. No, because I live here – and it’s often easier to be part of the in-crowd AND often the temptations to let my faith become weaker are greater than the encouragements to let my faith become stronger.
Seeing is believing ?
The one twin in the womb said to the other:
“I don’t see Mother, so it’s logical that She doesn’t exist.”
The other twin replied:
“Sometimes, when you’re in silence and you focus and listen, you can perceive Her presence, and you can hear Her loving voice calling down from above.”
Questions:
- What things make us doubt that God is there?
- Do we need to see, to see evidence, to believe? (Seeing is Believing)
- What sort of evidence, or how much evidence do we need, to believe?