Practically Thomas (John 14:1-6) 180407
I am writing a reflection paper on leadership lately. As I reflect and look back in the way I have led the Prefects when I was a a teacher and the youths in Covenant, I think I have changed and matured along the way. But there is one thing that I keep frustrating others is that I am rather poor in giving detailed instructions. On one hand, I see that as I am a leader who trust my people and give them great autonomous to do the projects assigned to them, I am empowering. But on the other hand, I am simply not helping my people to do the project and grow in it, I am lacking in monitoring and accountability.
It is alright if I have match the job with the person who can manage the job well, but if that is not the case, the project and the person will be in the state of lost. This is my weakness. But the point is that there are people out there need guidance, and they need practical guidance. Yesterday, my Systematic Theology lecturer was discussing about the doctrine of man with the class, and he pointed out that we have to treat a person wholistically in term of his body, soul and spirit. We cannot minister to a person’s soul or spirit without giving practical help to his body if he is needed it.
Thomas was practical, that’s why he doubted the resurrection of Jesus Christ later. He wanted a sure answer so that he could practically defend what he believed. Jesus had already told His disciples that He was going away but will be back to receive them and He also declared that the disciples will know the way to where He was going to (v3,4). Thomas concern was practical, how would he know that he knew the way (v5)? He had not been there, Jesus had not shown them the way yet, and how would he know the way?
I will not point finger at Thomas and say that he had little faith, he was just being practical. Jesus replied him that He is the way (v6). In another word, Jesus wanted His disciples to follow the truths (v6) that He had taught them and that is the way. You may think that Jesus’ answer was rather ambiguous, but to His disciples who had been with Him day in day out for the past three years or more, they would fully understand what Jesus meant by He is the way, the truth and the life (v6). Thomas understood that Jesus had given him clear and practical instruction to his question. And from the Church History, we know that Thomas was the first missionary to India. He knew the way, the truth and the life, because he was given very clear instruction by Jesus, and he followed.
Life is full of questions. Some people think that we Christians are living in a unreal world. We fake love, we fake close fellowship, we fake spiritual experiences, and we fake ourselves to believe in a crucified criminal. But I think we Christians are very practical people, because we are given practical guidance from our Lord, Jesus Christ, through His Words and Holy Spirit.
I remember that I was rather tired on Monday, but I have tonnes of assignments to do. And I remember the Word of God tells us to have Sabbath and rest. So I rested. I went swimming, read joke book and did things that is relaxing to my mind. I leave my work and assignments to Tuesday to do, I am not being lazy, I am just being practical. The problem with us is that sometime, we are not willing to follow what God meant for us to be practical. When you are tired, you still keep on working. When you do not find joy and satisfaction in your job, you dare not to quit. When you sense that you are spiritually dry, you do not take time to rest and seek God’s presence. These are common sense, the Word of God gives us practical guidances too and practical guidances are spiritual too.
