The Apostle Thomas is widely known for his doubting. I'm glad we don't all have to carry names binding us to our weak moments. There was a kid in our church in Monticello that called me Fat Matt for a number of years. Yes, it fit. No, it did not speak to other aspects of my life and devotion. I'm fat and Thomas doubted but that's just part of the story - the part to be restored by God's grace.
If you read John's gospel with care you will find that the strongest affirmation of Jesus' divinity came from the lips of "Confessing" (?) Thomas. Eugene Peterson tells it like this - Then he focused his attention on Thomas. "Take your finger and examine my hands. Take your hand and stick it in my side. Don't be unbelieving. Believe." Thomas said, "My Master! My God!"
"My God!" That was Thomas's affirmation. "My God!" He declared the divinity of Jesus AFTER he touched his scars. Thomas confessed the craziest notion the world has ever known - God has scars. The God of blazing fire has scars. When it comes to brokeness - God gets it. We do not have a God that is unmoved by our challenges and suffering. Therefore we can join with the writer of Hebrews and encourage each other as Jesus encouraged Thomas -
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 10:23 (NIV)
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About Me
- Matt Snowden
- My wife's name is Meredith and together we have a beautiful daughter named Molly Katherine and a tough little guy named Wes. I am the pastor of the First Baptist Church in Waco, TX. I received a B.A. from William Carey College an M.Div from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and a D.Min from George W.Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University.
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5 comments:
Great devotion.
I don't travel to Jackson as often so we are going to have to make time to hook up. I pray your family is doing well.
Perry,
Good to hear from you. I thought you may have fallen off the World. Yea, we should get together some time. Are you going to the Mississippi Founders meeting in Brandon? I may even go to the thing. When in Geneva act like the Romans.
Are you talking about the thing with Dr. Nettles?
Yes.
They sent me a copy of his book and I'm finding it to be very interesting. He is doing a lecture on the pastoral theology of C.H. Spurgeon that I would like to hear. I'm really busy now but if time permits I'm going to try to go to hear it. I fealt sure you were coming over for it.
Matt,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts about the God with scars. Good stuff!
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