Directly above the High Altar of New York City’s Saint Thomas Episcopal Church is a sculptural depiction of John 20:24-29 in which Jesus presents Himself to Thomas. In it are representations of each essential character: the Apostles to whom Jesus first appeared on Easter, Thomas, and Jesus. All the Apostles, except Thomas, are fully visible, five on both the right and left sides. In the center is Thomas, somewhat seen, yet partially hidden in the dark, kneeling before the risen Christ. What makes this depiction so emotional is seeing the right hand of the partially hidden Thomas extended out and raised up in clear view toward the fully visible risen Christ. It is an artistic rendering of Thomas’s rejoicing: “My Lord and my God!” (Jn. 20:28)

Thomas’s moniker, “Doubting Thomas,” is quite unfortunate. He is oftentimes unfairly criticized for expressing doubt, a genuine human emotion, as though his doubt was a denial of Jesus’s very existence. It was not Jesus who Thomas was doubting, but rather his fellow Apostles’ insistence to having seen Jesus, who was dead just three days prior, in clear sight, raised and alive. “Thomas…was not with them when Jesus came” (Jn. 20:24). To question a breach of natural law—seeing a man once dead again completely alive—begs some understanding, especially considering Thomas’s absence when the Apostles reconnected with Jesus that first Easter Day.

What is Thomas’s response? “UNTIL I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.” (Jn. 20:26) It is that first word, “until,” that is crucial and conveys much. Though he doubts his fellow Apostles’ assertion, Thomas is also open to the possibility that it might be true. For three years, Thomas walked with Jesus, saw Him perform marvelous miracles, conveying hope amid despair, and loved Him. Thomas is grieving the fact that the Teacher he loved so much was taken away, killed, and, in his mind, is gone forever. Yet, Thomas’ use of the word “until” signifies the yearning he still has for Jesus. His yearning compels a small glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, they are right and all is not lost.

Jesus comes to Thomas inside the glimmer of hope that is surrounded by doubt. “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe” (Jn. 20:27). Caravaggio’s early 17th century painting The Incredulity of Saint Thomas has the Apostle graphically inserting his index finger into the gaping wound on Jesus’ side. Yet, the actual account does not say that Thomas did this. Scripture reveals that the sight of Jesus Himself was sufficient for Thomas to exclaim, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus’ reply is not only pivotal for Thomas in that current moment but also for believers yet to come: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (Jn. 20:29).

When observing that sculptural depiction above the High Altar of New York’s Saint Thomas Church, I sense the sculptor1 making an artistic point. It is as though the partially hidden Thomas, with only his right hand outstretched and raised to the risen Christ visible to viewers, represents all people who hope even in their doubt. The sculpture validates doubt as a human emotion that all of us have suffered (or will suffer) at one point or another, reminding us that to feel it is to be human. The reminder relieves us from the shame that is oftentimes associated with doubt. The risen Christ, in clear view for all to see, communicates the Gospel truth, that in our seeking of and openness to receiving the Truth, Jesus comes. When Jesus comes and all doubts are subdued, we become changed, a new creation; the old passes away, and the new enters. Saint Thomas’s rejoicing song becomes our own: “My Lord and my God!”

During the latter days of Advent, Thomas’ feast day is December 21, occurring just four days before the celebration of Jesus’ birth at Christmas. Thomas’ feast day helps reinforce the message and hope being conveyed to us during Advent, a message that gives us all cause to rejoice:

The encounter between Jesus and Thomas in John 20 illustrates the Mystery of Faith – Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again. Jesus, by revealing Himself to Thomas in fullness of Body and Divinity after death, proves that there is a power beyond natural understanding. Despite all that is revealed and assured on Thomas’ Feast Day, there is still waiting, for Jesus shall come again in power and kingly glory. For all of us here on Earth still waiting, John gives this assurance, “We are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure” (1 Jn. 3:2-3). We wait for all to be revealed in Advent with the reminder of Jesus’ resurrection and reconnection with Thomas.

I see a connection between these words of John, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe,” from John 20 with Jesus’ admonition to “keep awake” in Matthew 24. Jesus says, “Keep awake…for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming” (Matt. 24:42). We are to “keep awake” by doing the things that Jesus commands: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matt. 22:37, 39). We do this by living “honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 13:13-14).

Why does following Jesus’ commands matter? Because Jesus died a horrific death in order that all people may be freed from sin. “Surely he has borne our infirmities and carried our diseases; yet we accounted him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed” (Is. 53:4-5).

To be saved by Jesus is to be changed in the most positive ways. Our hearts become drawn to Him, our minds guided by Him, and our wills controlled by Him. Because of Jesus, our new self yearns to be His vessel for His greater glory, that we may show forth God’s love to our neighbor. “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love…I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete” (Jn. 15:10-11). We have been given the chance to conform our lives to God’s will, to love others as Christ loves us, and to do the things He would have us do. By abiding in God’s love, our salvation in Christ becomes more meaningful, and our joy made complete here on Earth. Christian discipleship becomes part of the very air we breathe.

Jesus Christ has come and delivered us from darkness to light. He has come and will come again! We rejoice in that sin’s ensuing death was not final. Jesus triumphantly arose from the grave on the third day so that, through Him, we may experience the joys of eternal life. Although the experience will be different from that of Thomas because we have not physically seen Jesus, Jesus’ resurrecting power is being displayed before us as well. At the end, when Christ comes again, eternity in God’s Kingdom will be our reward. In God’s Kingdom, there will be much rejoicing!

Observing Thomas during Advent, we can have courage to rejoice in hope even in the waiting. Indeed, the Word of God is true. Jesus Christ is coming again, coming to save you and me. “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” So, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice” (Phil. 4:4).

Notes

1. Lee Oscar Lawrie (1877-1963), one of America’s foremost architectural sculptors of the first half of the 20th century.

About the author

Brandt Montgomery wrote 3 articles for this publication.

The Reverend Brandt L. Montgomery is the Associate Rector and All School Chaplain of the Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Lafayette, Louisiana. Prior to his ministry at Ascension, Brandt was the Curate at Canterbury Episcopal Chapel and Student Center at the University of Alabama from 2012-2014. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of Montevallo in 2007 and a Master of Divinity (cum laude) from The General Theological Seminary in 2012. Brandt is currently undertaking Doctor of Ministry studies at the University of the South, his proposed thesis is titled "A Glorious Vision: Anglo-Catholicism and Race—Past, Present, and Future."

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