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In John’s Gospel we’re told that after Jesus was raised from the dead, he appeared to Thomas, the disciple who refused to believe the other disciples’ testimony that Christ had risen from the dead. Thomas is forever remembered as the disciple who said, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.” And ever since, he’s been dogged with the title of Doubting Thomas.

But maybe a more significant title for him would be Absent Thomas. If Thomas had been present on the earlier occasion when Jesus appeared to the disciples, he would never have made his original statement of vigorous denial. We don’t know why Thomas was absent previously; he may have had good and justified reasons. But whatever the reason, it was his absence that caused him to suffer a long week of emotional and spiritual struggle. The best and surest place to maintain faith is in the company of fellow believers.  Being church together, showing up for each other, loving, supporting, holding one another as we journey through our struggles.

That’s what we do here at Crete UMC. 

Yours in the journey,

Pastor Kristen