Imagine if “doubting” Thomas had lived in our social media era. “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” (John 20:25). Thomas was honest. Individuals who have died don’t come back to life. So, what do we believers do when social media posts question or criticize faith in Jesus?
Believers back in the first century lived in a non-Christian, sometimes hostile, society. Today questioners and critics use digital technology to put us on the defensive about faith. We’re not going to change that. Brandy Zadrozny, a reporter who follows conspiracy postings, says, “the idea that we can change anything, I have given up on.” What we can do is what Thomas and the early church did, talk with one another. While Jesus is not likely to appear visibly to resolve our doubts, we still have His Word and the witness of those first disciples who saw Jesus alive. At least for me, the takeaway from the story of Thomas in our social media age is face-to-face group Bible study.
“These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31). Faith is hard. Posts are short and shallow. We need the Spirit not only to give but keep strengthening faith. Let’s talk about our doubts. “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:29).
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