June has always meant the beginning of the summer for me! This feeling was established when I was in school and around June 8th was the date we finally got out for summer vacation. I remember thinking how hard it was to believe that after all this time, all the lessons, all the tests, and all the homework had all come to an end; but also a beginning for a lot of things too. June also brought the beginning of things like the summer vacation that the students (and the staff, I’m sure) all greatly looked forward to, and time with friends and family that we were unable to achieve with a busy school and sports schedule.
“Brother, I need some sage advice
Yeah, brother, these doubts have stole my voice
Tender metal armour, cracks around the corners”
As we draw closer to the end of the Easter season, we’ve been hearing about Jesus returning to the disciples after His crucifixion on multiple occasions. First showing up to Mary, and then again to some of the disciples on Easter, and then showing up 8 days later to all of the disciples. The first time he had appeared, Thomas, one of the disciples, was not there. We hear about him questioning how Jesus was able to come back to life after Thomas had watched Him suffer on the cross until he died. Knowing how The Story goes, I believe that we sometimes look down on Thomas in these moments; feeling that we would never be in his position, and also wondering how he was even saying that it was hard for him to believe that Jesus had risen from the dead. I think that if we were in a similar position, we would find it hard to believe too. All of the disciples had just witnessed Jesus’ death, which for them meant it was the end of all their lessons and direction; and more importantly the end of their Teacher who was giving them all of this knowledge. Although it isn’t clearly stated how Thomas and Jesus met, we have to remember that some of these men literally dropped what they were doing when Jesus had told them to follow Him, and they did.
“Brother, I’ve picked up scars, it’s true
I never thought I’d be weak like you
Trying to be certain felt a little stifling”
When Jesus had returned to the disciples for the second time Thomas was present and He specifically went over to Thomas because Jesus had known that he had expressed feelings of doubt. I’ve known of this passage for a greater part of my life and I had always believed that Thomas needed to touch Jesus’ wounds in order for him to believe in Jesus’ Resurrection, however The Bible never explicitly states that he does. Thomas’ reply to Jesus was the only confirmation that we have to tell us that in that moment he began to believe. I had also held on to the fact that Thomas was, “Doubting Thomas,” and held him to that one instance. It’s easy to overlook the grace that Jesus Himself demonstrated to Thomas, who wasn’t doubting as if he didn’t believe, but just had some honest questions. Jesus’ grace with Thomas is a position we overlook. How often do we forget to show grace to people who simply don’t understand clearly? This also leads me to think about how we all sometimes fall short of hitting the mark which leads us to seeking grace from others. Likewise, we’d like to believe that our faith is a pillar unshaken, but sometimes, living in a world where there is human intervention to the good that God is doing, we find ourselves questioning, curious, and sometimes doubtful.
“Comfort’s not always comforting
When you think you know it all,
You’ll know there’s more”
Jesus told the disciples that He would not be around much longer in the capacity that He was for them; but that wasn’t the end of the life of His teachings. He instructed the disciples to show love to each other as He had shown to them. Even in the midst of Jesus’ physical absence, they were to keep Him and His teachings alive, making them the new teachers in The way of The Lord. While it seemed that the end of the life that the disciples knew was near, it had only begun for each of the disciples in their ministry, each of them teaching God’s way and God’s love to new people.
“Thomas, I get it, it’s hard to believe
Yeah, Thomas I get it, it’s hard to believe
I wish it weren’t so”
While the song that I choose to review seems to find me each month, this one took awhile to find. Even the lyrics of this song were hard to find because it had only been out three weeks! As soon as I heard “Thomas, I Get It” by Josh Gauton, I knew I had found the right song for the vibe I wanted to curate for you this month. From the questioning-asking first verse that puts the listener in the mindset of Thomas, to the feeling within the last verse that feels welcoming and open to the questions asked in the first verses, encouraging grace and reassurance in the midst of confusion. I hope that this June, that the curiosity of Thomas may find you this month, because not all curiosity is welcomed by grace and encouragement. I also hope that the grace that Jesus shows is like the grace you’re able to show someone who is curious, questioning, and just maybe a little doubtful; just like the grace Jesus taught us to show.