Thomas Remains Isolated In Doubt

Spring, c. 33 AD

Thomas Remains Isolated In Doubt

Within the core group of disciples, a painful division of experience remains. Thomas, called Didymus, was not present when the Lord appeared to the others in the locked room on Easter Sunday. For nearly a week, he has stubbornly refused to accept their joyous testimonies, insisting on empirical proof before he will believe.

"Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe," he declared. His rigid stance highlights the intense, realistic trauma the disciples experienced. Thomas is not a villain; he is a grieving man who refuses to be taken in by what he fears might be a collective delusion.

"But he said to them, 'Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.'"
— John 20:25 (LSB)

Timeline Box: Thomas's period of doubt lasted for exactly eight days following the resurrection.

United Kingdom Era, c. 990 BC

Mephibosheth Dines At The King's Table

In a beautiful display of covenant loyalty, King David has sought out a surviving member of Saul's household to show kindness for Jonathan's sake. He has brought Mephibosheth, a man crippled in both feet, to the palace. David has restored all of Saul's land to him and decreed that he will eat at the king's table regularly, like one of the king's sons.

"Then David said to him, 'Do not fear, for I will surely show you lovingkindness for the sake of your father Jonathan... and you shall eat at my table regularly.'"
— 2 Samuel 9:7 (LSB)

Timeline Box: David's grace toward Mephibosheth is a premier Old Testament picture of unmerited favor.

Judges Era, c. 1150 BC

Samson Posits A Riddle To The Philistines

During his wedding feast in Timnah, the famously strong judge Samson has posed a high-stakes riddle to his thirty Philistine companions. Based on his secret encounter with a lion and a swarm of bees, he challenged them: "Out of the eater came something to eat, and out of the strong came something sweet." The wager is set at thirty linen wraps and changes of clothes.

"Then Samson said to them, 'Let me now propound a riddle to you... Out of the eater came something to eat, And out of the strong came something sweet.'"
— Judges 14:12, 14 (LSB)

Timeline Box: Samson's riddle initiated the cascade of conflicts that defined his tumultuous tenure as a judge.

Editorial: Grace For The Doubters And The Broken

God makes room at His table for those who do not feel they belong. David brought a crippled man from a rival dynasty to eat at his royal table, simply because of a promise. Jesus made room for a doubting disciple, preparing to show Thomas the very scars he demanded to see.

We often feel that our doubts or our brokenness disqualify us from the Kingdom. But like Mephibosheth, we are invited to feast on the King's grace, not our own merits. And like Thomas, God is not intimidated by our questions. Out of the "eater" of the grave came the "sweetness" of the resurrection, a truth strong enough to heal our deepest doubts.

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