讀經: 約翰福音二十章24至30節 24那十二個門徒中,有稱為低土馬的多馬,耶穌來的時候,他沒有和他們同在。 25那些門徒就對他說:"我們已經看見主了。"多馬卻說:"我非看見他手上的釘痕,用指頭探入那釘痕,又用手探入他的肋旁,我總不信。" 26過了八日,門徒又在屋裡,多馬也和他們同在。門都關了。耶穌來站在當中說:"願你們平安!" 27就對多馬說:"伸過你的指頭來,摸(註:"摸"原文作"看")我的手;伸出你的手來,探入我的肋旁。不要疑惑,總要信!" 28多馬說:"我的主,我的神!" 29耶穌對他說:"你因看見了我才信,那沒有看見就信的有福了!" 30耶穌在門徒面前另外行了許多神蹟,沒有記在這書上。 |
使徒約翰還提供了兩個有關多馬的小故事,是其他福音書作者沒有提及的。 基督復活之後,基於某些我們不知道的原因,多馬似乎離開了大夥兒幾天,以致他未能在復活的那天看見基督的第一次顯現。 過了不久,多馬回到門徒中間,發現他們因被釘死的基督已經復活而興奮不已。多馬很難信以為真。事實上,他一直拒絕相信,除非他能親手觸摸到復活的基督,確定那就是基督。 一星期之後,多馬的機會就來了。當時門徒在屋裡,門已經鎖上,但基督卻突然在他們中間顯現。祂輕責多馬的不信,顯示祂知道多馬說了些甚麼。接著,祂便伸出手來,叫多馬檢視祂的釘痕。基督的話誠然充滿憐愛,但祂卻確實教訓他說:「不要疑惑,總要信。」 多馬嚇得目瞪口呆,終於才激動地發出他的信心宣言:「我的主!我的神!」 基督繼而稱讚那些憑信心相信祂復活的人。從那刻之後,多馬不再疑惑了。他已見過復活之主,於願足矣。 多馬在五旬節後到了哪裡,我們並不清楚。按照教會流傳的說法,多馬走遍許多地方,大力地傳講福音。 南印度教會曾宣稱多馬是其創辦人。我們惟有等到將來在天上,才能知道這位默默事奉的使徒如何終生事主。 |
Bible Reading: John 20:24-30 24 Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said to him, "We have seen the Lord." So he said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe." 26 And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, "Peace to you!" 27 Then He said to Thomas, "Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing." 28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!" 29 Jesus said to him, "Thomas,[d] because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." 30 And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; |
Again John, the apostle and writer, brings to us two short scenes involving Thomas, which the other writers do not give. It was after the Resurrection of Christ. For some unknown reasons, Thomas seemed to have disappeared for a few days and missed the first appearance of Christ on Easter Sunday. Some time later, Thomas joined the group of disciples and found them bursting with the news that the crucified Christ was alive again. Thomas found this extremely hard to believe. In fact he refused to believe until he had physically examined Christ and had been convinced of Christ's identity. His chance came a week later. Christ again appeared to the disciples in spite of locked doors. He very gently rebuked Thomas showing He knew what Thomas had said, then invited him to examine the scars of the cross. No doubt Christ said it lovingly but He did say the words, "Stop doubting and believe." Thomas was speechless for a moment then burst out in a great statement of faith and recognition, "My Lord and my God." Christ spoke a few further words commending those who had accepted the fact of his resurrection by faith. It would seem that Thomas never doubted again. He had seen the Risen Lord and that was sufficient. What Thomas did after Pentecost is not clear but many traditions place him in various countries, powerfully preaching the Gospel. The church of South India particularly claims him as their founder. It may be so. Eternity alone will reveal the whole story of the ministry of this rather unknown apostle |
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