Renamed

One of the lectionary readings for Sunday is the story of Thomas in John (John 20:24-29). We have all probably referred to Thomas as “Doubting Thomas,” as if Doubting were his first name.

Have you noticed that when we name something, that that is the only characteristic that we remember about the person named?

• When we refer to a judge, we often call him or her Judge Smith (or whatever the person’s last name is). That is custom, so that we will remember who is in charge, and whose judgment matters in that particular courtroom.
  
• When we refer to our parents, we don’t use their name at all. We use our name for them – Mom or Dad – or any of the derivatives. We are reminded of the role they play in our lives. It is a role that has a name.
  
• A baby was born last Saturday to the son and daughter-in-law of a member of our Sunday school class. This little boy is named Thurston. What comes to mind when you hear that name? “The professor and Mary Ann…” To his parents, who aren’t familiar with Gilligan’s Island, the association is not made.

I could list many more, all of my acquaintance – Joshie-bean, Bear, Chef Jeff, Jimmy Ray, King of all…, Red Ronald, and Uncle Bob. All of them nicknames for different people. None of them completely defining who the person is, but when the name is heard, one particular facet of the person is brought to mind, ahead of all the others.

When we think of Doubting Thomas, we only remember his doubt. I think that’s a shame.

All of the disciples are in despair. Their beloved leader has been killed, and he is dead. Dead. No doubt. Someone at worked, a Fellow from Yemen, asked me if I believed that Jesus had died. “Yes, he was dead. Dead. Dead. Dead. Deader than a doornail (whatever that means). No doubt.

So the disciples are gathered in the Upper Room, and Jesus walks through the door. Literally. Listen to John 20:20b – “The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.” Overjoyed. That’s not just joy – that’s “overjoy!”

The problem is that Thomas ran out to pick up milk at the local grocery store or something, and he missed it. He is still living in the certainty of death.

He comes back to the Upper Room, and is greeted by 10 overjoyed friends. Not only is the Lord risen, but he missed it. How disappointed he must have been, while at the same time, elated. Can we blame him for his confusion? Haven’t we felt those kinds of conflicting emotions?

But Jesus doesn’t leave him that way. Jesus doesn’t say, “I'll call you Doubting Thomas.” He comes back. He chases Thomas with his grace. Jesus will go to any length to convince Thomas – “Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

Jesus recreates Doubting Thomas into Thomas, the Disciple. He transforms him. He chased him, reappeared in the Upper Room for him. Offered Thomas exactly what he needed in order to believe. He did not give up on him, but instead “re-named” him.

What happened to Thomas? He went on to do God’s work in most likely India. “Indian Christians from the west coast Kerala area claim they were evangelized by Thomas, who was later speared to death near Madras on the east coast.” (quoted from here)

Jesus removed the name Doubting from Thomas 8 days after the first Easter. Perhaps we could learn from from Thomas if we did the same.

Images: I'm not sure if you can tell, but the tree has an orange cast. That is reflected light from the sunrise in the picture on the right.