Thomas the Disciple

This is the English translated outline of the sermon preached by Rev. Musubi Tabuchi to the congregations of Ashiya Christian Church and Unfinished Community on Sunday, April 27, 2025, drawing from John 20:19-31.

Among the twelve disciples of Jesus, there are some that are very well known, such as Peter, and others who are not so well known. Among these lesser-known disciples is Thomas. He appears several times in the Gospel of John, but does not appear in any of the other Gospels, and in the Gospel of John he is portrayed as "the hotheaded one."

He is also the one who did not immediately recognize, or believe in, the resurrection of Jesus.

As Christianity began to spread throughout the world, the legends that grew about him are very interesting indeed. He is said to have spread the teachings of Jesus from the Middle East all the way to India. Even today, Thomas is considered to be an extremely significant figure in the history of Christianity in India.

At first, he was not able to accept the truth of Christ's resurrection, but once he did it became the foundation on which the entire rest of his life would be built. The resurrection was something so very. far beyond what he was able to immediately understand, and this gave it the power to shatter his previous life, and make room for something new, different, and wonderful.

That is the real power of Christ's resurrection; for Thomas then, and for us today.

Let us pray.

God, help us to realize the resurrection, to accept it not just in base knowledge, but as a powerful, foundational power that gives shape and direction to our entire existence. For that support, guidance, and love, we pray in the name of the Risen Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.