WHERE IS THOMAS?

Where is Thomas? Acts 20:7, “And upon the first day of the week, we were gathered together to break bread...”  First Corinthians 11:25. “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink the cup ye proclaim the Lord's death till He comes.”  Luke 22:19, “This do in remembrance of Me.”

In the New Testament the celebration of the resurrection was not a one Sunday of the year occurrence on a day called Easter. Nor was there such a thing as a resurrection Sunday that occurred once a year. The celebration of the resurrection of Jesus was an every Sunday event.

On the Sunday that Jesus arose from the dead He appeared in person to the Apostles and Thomas was absent. John 20:21, “But Thomas was not with them when Jesus came.”  Suppose you had been present when the Apostles met on that Resurrection Day. You look around and you see that someone is missing. You say, "Where is Thomas?"  Someone says, "Thomas is sick." "What is the matter with him? Heart attack?"  "Oh, no, he is just feeling a little under the weather.  He will be able to go to work tomorrow, but he is just a little too sick to be in services.” Think of what Thomas missed, Jesus came.

Suppose again that you had met with the Apostles on that memorable day. You look around and see that someone is missing and you say, "Where is Thomas?" Someone says, ''Oh, he intended to come, but he had to go to the game. He will be here next week, if there is, no game."  Think of what Thomas missed, Jesus came.

Then again suppose you had been present the day of the Resurrection and noticed that one of the Apostles was missing and you said, "Where is Thomas?"  "Oh, he said he did not want to come and associate with a hypocrite like Peter. It is common knowledge that he cursed and denied the Lord. He may never come back again.” Think of what Thomas missed, Jesus came.

Then think of all those people with a Thomas complex today when the Church assembles on the Lord's Day. Think of all those people who miss the assembly because of a headache, or to go to the game or because of the hypocrites. Think of what they will miss on that day if it be said, “JESUS CAME!"