Patience

During our Easter Sunday worship, we looked at three ways our view of Jesus is obstructed: 1) when life isn’t fair; 2) the loneliness of loss; and 3) anger when our worldview is challenged. This weekend we’ll look at three more things that obstruct our view of Jesus: 1) fear; 2) doubt; and 3) jealousy. The fact is, if we as believers might have our view of Jesus obstructed by these things, unbelievers will as well.

This weekend’s Gospel reading is about “Doubting” Thomas. Perhaps we could call him “Unbelieving” Thomas. What is interesting is how the other disciples treated Thomas. They continued to tell him how Jesus was alive, and even though Thomas didn’t believe them, they did not give up on Thomas. What is even more interesting is that Thomas did not stop being with the others. He was with them when the Lord appeared to him the week after His resurrection. If you were the disciples or Thomas, would you have given up on each other?

Here’s a truth to learn from the Scriptures: God is extremely patient and does not want to abandon anyone. If that’s the way our God is, His followers are to have that same attitude. And so, while Thomas wasn’t believing the others, and the others may have become frustrated over Thomas’s unbelief, they continued to be together. Why? Because patient people provide a loving and caring environment. They are willing to take whatever time is necessary for the one doubting to come to know the joy of the Lord’s salvation. And ultimately who is at work in that atmosphere? The Holy Spirit is.

What that means for each of us is that when our view of Christ Jesus is obstructed by the temptations of the evil one, we can know that God does not immediately give up on us for our doubts, but patiently seeks us through His Word and also the caring, loving witness of His people who are providing a safe place where people can know Jesus and grow in His love.