Today is the feast day of St. Thomas, Apostles and martyr for The Faith. Thomas asked Jesus the question, "Lord, how will we know the way?" and Jesus replied, "I AM the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father except through Me."  More well known is the nickname of "Doubting Thomas," because Thomas wasn't with the other 10 apostles when Jesus appeared to them and he said, "Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”  How did Jesus respond to this unapologetic doubt and skepticism? Did Jesus punish Thomas and cast him into utter darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth? No, instead Jesus appeared a second time and said, "Peace be with you.” ²⁷ Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” ²⁸ Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” ²⁹ Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”  Jesus did not punish Thomas for his doubt, but instead forgave him his doubt and strengthened his faith by showing him His wounds. Thomas went from there and traveled east to India where people still today call themselves "Christians of St. Thomas." Thomas did not die in his doubt, but in faith and trust in the mercy of Jesus, in the forgiveness of his sins, as he was speared to death.

If we are honest, and hears the Law's rebuke, then we must confess that we have times of great doubt. We doubt the very existence of God. We doubt that He is a loving God who cares about our daily life. We doubt that He is our loving God that forgives us. We doubt that we will go to heaven when we die and therefore fear the fires of hell more than we fear God Himself. Doubt is a regular guest in our hearts, and for we the baptized, it is an unwelcome one. Doubt troubles us, and it should. When we doubt, we are living not in faith, but in unbelief. We could listen to the world that tells us it's healthy to have doubts. We could listen to our Old Adam that tells us that our doubts are justifiable and we should take their lead. We could listen to the devil who tempts us with these doubts in order that we despair of God's love and mercy and live in unbelief, and other great shame and vice. Every other voice leaves us in despair, without any hope in a merciful God. Every other voice leaves us in fear of eternal death. Even if we live a life of outward skepticism, inside the devil continues to wreak havoc on our conscience. Rather than listen to these voices, we are blessed to hear the voice of our peaceful Savior Jesus who does not chastise us, but absolves us and forgives us all of our sins. 

Jesus died for Doubting Thomas and He died for you and all your doubts, anxieties, worries, fears, and what if moments. On the cross, Jesus assumed all sins and became every sinner of the world. Every sin, from the moment of your conception to the last breath you take is paid for in Jesus blood on the cross. This means that now, in the means of grace, you receive full pardon and forgiveness of all of your sins and are clothed with Jesus' righteousness that covers a multitude of transgressions, failures, and doubts. So, my friends, when you have those moments, days, weeks, months, or years of great doubt, be not far from the words of Holy Absolution that drowns that doubt in the blood of Jesus. When you have fears of this world, of eternal death, of God hating you, then may the devil be sent packin so you hear only the voice of Jesus who says that He loves you and can't wait for you to enter into the eternal dwellings. Church is a place filled with doubters, so never be ashamed that you are one of them. Your shameful doubt is covered in the blood of Jesus, and you the baptized now put on Christ and your shame is fully covered in all that He once sacrificed. The Holy Spirit brings you to church in your doubt and sends you away in joyful forgiveness, confident to face death without fear, but as a welcomed moment where you enter the portal to life immortal. 

Peace be with you. May the devil be silenced, the world be hushed, and the Old Adam be drowned anew so that you hear only the peaceful voice of your Savior Jesus who says, "I love you. I forgive you. I claim you as My own forever," Amen.

Jesus' Sheepdog,

Pastor Hull