Living Stones – Tuesday, December 12, 2017

Reputation and courage

John 11:16

Then Thomas, who is called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with Him.”

There is a whole industry dedicated to the management of the reputation of individuals, products, and corporations. At one-time reputation management was a part of the responsibility of a public relations team, today it has evolved in its own specialism.

Poor Thomas, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus, did not have an agency managing his reputation, and so, on the basis of demanding that his belief in the resurrection be evidence-based, he has been forever branded “Doubting Thomas.” This is an unfortunate and undeserving epithet.

There are many persons who have made statements about the time it takes to build a reputation and the speed with which it could be wiped out. The tycoon, Warren Buffet, probably has the market cornered on that particular quote thought. Here is how Buffet put it, “It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it.”

People have a way of remembering the one thing you said, or the one thing that you did that destroys everything else that you stand for or that you did. We are always under pressure, therefore, to conduct ourselves properly in order to be a credible witness with a testimony for Jesus.

Thomas the disciple, also known as Didymus, which is the Greek word for Twin. Had on other occasions demonstrated courage in what were difficult and dangerous circumstances. Expecting death, Thomas nevertheless remained committed.

Sometimes as we read the Gospels we focus only on what we know and miss many other dimensions to the story. We sometimes get the impression that the disciples were always an eager bunch ready for the next adventure with Jesus. However, that was not the case, Jesus was often having to challenge them to buck up. If you remember His famous question of them in the Garden of Gethsemane, “He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour?”” Matthew 26:40

In the story of Lazarus being raised from the dead that we are examining in John 11, the focus has been on Jesus’ delay in returning to Bethany. We understand that Jesus delayed, while Lazarus died, in order that He might demonstrate that “[He is] the resurrection and the life.” John 11:25. However, there was another complication, “The disciples said to Him, “Rabbi, lately the Jews sought to stone You, and are You going there again?””

Bethany in Judea had become a dangerous place for Jesus. The Jews had already made their intentions clear. “Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him.” John 10:31. To the disciples, this was a suicide mission. They were clearly hesitant, or at least cautious about getting back to a place where the security situation for their Rabbi was in doubt.

It is here that Thomas demonstrated his true character. While the others were shrinking back from the obvious dangers, Thomas was prepared to follow Jesus to Bethany even if it meant his life and he challenged the others to do the same, “Thomas, who is called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with Him.”” John 11:16.

This reminds me of the Apostle Paul who, after he had received the prophecy about what awaited him in Rome, determined that he would still go there for the sake of the Gospel. The prophet Agabus graphically demonstrated what fate awaited Paul, and so the church folk tried to dissuade him, “Then Paul answered, “What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”” Acts 21:13.

Thomas demonstrated what real courage is, to quote William Barclay, “Real courage means being perfectly aware of the worst that can happen, being sickeningly afraid of it, and yet doing the right thing.”

There are some commentators who have tried to discredit Thomas even in this situation. They charge him with always seeing the dark side of things. I don’t believe that John’s account here supports that. There was already a stoning attempt there and the situation was deteriorating.

Also, after Lazarus was raised from the dead things got worse, not better. Some of the Jews at the wake provided information to the leaders and a special meeting was called to discuss the activities of Jesus. His death warrant was in effect signed after the raising of Lazarus in Bethany. So bad was the situation that, “… from that day on, they plotted to put Him to death. Therefore Jesus no longer walked openly among the Jews but went from there into the country near the wilderness, to a city called Ephraim, and there remained with His disciples.” John 11:53-54

Thomas should get credit; his reputation should be rehabilitated. He might have been afraid, but he didn’t let the fear stop him. Following Jesus faithfully was foremost on his mind and he encouraged others to do the same.

Think on these things:

1. We live where it’s relatively safe to follow Jesus, how much do you know about our brothers and sisters who live every day under a pall of death for the name of Jesus?
2. Do you have a reputation in your family, among your friends or co-workers, or in your community for taking a stand on issues on the basis of your faith in Jesus?
3. Is there any existing situation socially, politically, or otherwise that would require courage for you to stand up and be a witness for Jesus?

Prayer focus:

Let us pray today for the courage to be witnesses for Jesus, especially since we face no life-threatening circumstances because of our faith in Him.

In His Grace

Pastor Alex