p. Page Five | The Absence of Thomas by Henry T. Elliott

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California, U.S.A. · Oct 21, 1930

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 57, No. 41.

The Absence of Thomas

By Henry T. Elliott

HENRY T. ELLIOTT

Thomas . . . was not with them when Jesus came.” John 20:24. Here was an absence from a small religious gathering of enough importance to be recorded in the Bible. Why was Thomas absent?

It must be remembered that the disciples were much affected by the traditional Jewish ideas of the coming Redeemer and His mission on earth. The Jewish nation were smarting and groaning under the Roman yoke, and they believed the Redeemer would come as king and ruler to free the nation from its Roman bondage and give it a high place in the world’s affairs.

In accepting personal faith in Jesus and His leadership, the disciples still clung to the traditional expectation that Jesus would set up an earthly kingdom. They quarreled over future positions of authority. They thought Jesus was slow to advance His claims, and they sought opportunities to induce Him to accept public leadership; for example, after the feeding of the multitude, they sought to bear Him aloft to the capital city. But Jesus would not. It was difficult for them to understand that His kingdom was “not of this world.” Even in the Garden of Gethsemane, Peter was ready to wield a sword in defense of his Leader; but Jesus restrained him. So they waited, vainly hoping that the day would soon come when Jesus would assert Himself as a world leader.

DESPONDENT AND DESPAIRING

Imagine their complete disappointment when Jesus was seized by the soldiery and executed as a vile criminal. Their hopes were dashed to despair. The apparent failure and disgrace of Jesus threw them into despondency. In their gloom they knew not what to do. They turned again to their ordinary pursuits, doubtless amid the taunts and sneers of the unbelieving. When reports began to be circulated that Jesus was alive, Thomas could not believe them. The One whom he had trusted was divine had been executed like a mere man. He did not intend to be deceived again.

Besides all this, Thomas distrusted the other disciples. They had serious faults, and were not of the right spirit. Peter, clamoring for leadership; James and John, scheming with their mother for the coveted positions next to the Master; uncertain Philip; and others no better,—Thomas had lost faith in their experience, and he decided to withdraw from the circle. Critical and fearful, he separated from them to go his own way.

But how much Thomas lost by his absence! First, he missed Jesus, who came and “stood in the midst.” Like the Jews who at Jesus’ birth were not ready to honor Him, so Thomas missed his opportunity to show his allegiance to His Master. Jesus—Saviour—“there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” How many to-day have, through doubt and criticism, failed to see and receive Jesus as a personal Saviour!

Second, Thomas missed Jesus’ message, “Peace be unto you.” This was the message of the angels when Jesus was born. “Peace” is the very heart of the gospel. Jesus always brings peace to troubled hearts. “Come unto Me, . . . and I will give you rest.” “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee.” “And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever.” Inward peace will quicken and invigorate the entire experience. It is indeed the animated, living pleasure enjoyed to its full measure only by the Christian.

Third, Thomas, by his absence, did not receive the Holy Spirit. “He [Jesus] breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost.” The Holy Spirit is “the Comforter” that Jesus said would be His personal representative on earth after His departure. It is the Holy Spirit who gives power to the life and testimony of the believer. This most coveted gift in the experience of the Christian is waiting for those who will receive it. But alas, how often is the power of the Spirit shut off from the life because, through doubt of the divine and distrust of the faithful, the life has been isolated!

THE HARVEST OF DISTRUST

Fourth, Thomas was not present to receive the commission, “As My Father hath sent Me, even so send I you.” He lost his opportunity to serve by separating himself from his brethren. How really powerless and useless is the life in which is no inspiring commission to help and to save others. With no burden for others, life is empty, restless, and vain.

Such to the Christian are the dangers of doubt and discord. The seeds of distrust bring forth a terrible harvest. The possibility of doubt and distrust will never be entirely removed in this world. It is for us to cling to the evidences of faith.

To be sure, Thomas was given another chance. God always gives returning faith an opportunity. But Thomas must carry to the end of his earthly life a remembrance of having failed his Lord in a critical hour when his testimony was needed. And ever after there would ring in his soul the Saviour’s gentle reminder and comparison, “Thomas, because thou hast seen Me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.”