My Name Is Thomas...
Witness to the Wounds, Messenger to the Nations
Beloved in the Lord,
I am Thomas, often remembered as "Doubting Thomas," a moniker that, while not entirely undeserved, only captures a single moment of my journey with Christ. As I reflect on the path I have trodden, I write this letter in hope that my story will strengthen your faith and encourage you to embrace both the seen and unseen in your walk with the Lord.
My story with Jesus began on the shores of Galilee, where He called me to be one of His twelve disciples. As a follower, I witnessed His miracles, absorbed His teachings, and grappled with the profound mysteries He revealed. "Thomas said to him, 'Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?'" (John 14:5, NIV) My questions often sprang from a desire to understand, to see clearly the path and purpose before us.
The defining moment of my journey with Jesus, and the one that earned me my enduring epithet, occurred after His resurrection. Absent when the risen Lord first appeared to the other disciples, I wrestled with disbelief upon hearing their testimony. "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe." (John 20:25, NIV) My skepticism was not born of stubbornness but a deep yearning for tangible proof of such a wondrous event.
When Jesus appeared again, He graciously addressed my doubts, inviting me to touch His wounds. In that moment, my skepticism dissolved into a profound belief, and I uttered a confession that encapsulated my newfound faith: "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:28, NIV) This encounter transformed me, fortifying my faith and propelling me to proclaim the risen Christ with renewed zeal and conviction.
Tradition holds that my ministry extended far beyond the boundaries of the Roman Empire. Carrying the message of Christ, I traveled to distant lands, including India, bringing the Gospel to those who had never heard the name of Jesus. In these foreign fields, I sowed the seeds of faith, establishing communities of believers who would continue to grow long after my departure.
The cost of discipleship was ever present. I faced opposition, endured hardships, and ultimately, tradition states, met my martyrdom in Mylapore near Chennai in India, slain by spears or arrows. Yet, even in the face of death, my faith did not waver, for I had seen the risen Lord, had touched His wounds, and knew the hope of resurrection.
To you, who now carry the torch of this great faith, I offer my life as a testament to the grace of God in transforming doubt into devotion. Do not fear your questions or your uncertainties; rather, let them lead you to a deeper, more authentic encounter with Christ.
May my story encourage you to press on in your journey, to seek earnestly, and to embrace both the certainties and mysteries of our faith. Remember, blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. (John 20:29, NIV)
In faith and truth,
Thomas, Apostle to the Nations, Witness to the Resurrection.