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Thomas Window Though Mary attested to Jesus’ resurrection, the rest of his disciples were slow to believe, remaining hidden in fear behind locked doors. But then Jesus appeared among them, bringing them peace and commissioning them to continue his work. Thomas, one of the Twelve, was not present at this first visit. When the others told him they had seen the Lord, Thomas was incredulous, declaring that he would not believe unless he could touch Jesus’ wounds with his own hands. But eight days later Jesus returned, and this time Thomas was there. Jesus approached Thomas and gave him the sign he needed, showing him the scars in his hands and side. Thomas’ response is the most powerful statement of faith in the Gospels: “My Lord and my God!” For 40 days after his resurrection, Jesus continued to appear to his followers. At first some were afraid and thought they were seeing a ghost, though they quickly became aware that this was not a mere shadow of the Jesus they had known, but Jesus himself, fully alive and more intensely powerful than ever. The overwhelming experience of meeting the risen Christ not only convinced Thomas, but the other disciples as well, bestowing unshakable faith and hope in Jesus, restoring their community, and calling forth their mission as apostles, or “sent ones.” At the end of the 40 days, Jesus admonished the disciples to wait together in Jerusalem for the coming of the Holy Spirit, and commissioned them to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to obey everything he had commanded. Then Jesus was taken up into heaven where he was exalted and enthroned at God’s right hand as Lord of all. Ten days later, the ascended Christ poured his Holy Spirit upon the disciples, sharing his own power and authority with them, and giving birth to the Church. Thomas’ window comforts us with its reminder that sincere doubt need not be a stumbling block, but can become a stepping stone to greater clarity of belief, and an opportunity for Christ to reveal himself to us. It is the potential for doubt, the inability to verify or see, which allows the possibility of faith, and Christ’s benediction to those who would follow: “Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.”
Like Stars Appearing: The Story of the Stained Glass
Windows of St. George's Episcopal Church, Dayton, Ohio | |||
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