"Then Thomas (also known as Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with him." (John 11:16)
Thoughts: I admire Thomas' bravery here. Later he would be known as "Doubting Thomas." He might be a bit pessimistic. But he was not afraid or scared of death. He wanted to be a proponent for Christ, even if it cost him his health and his life.
The context is, the leaders were threatening Jesus and everyone knew it. But Lazarus had died and the Passover was approaching in Jerusalem. Because Thomas and the others went- they saw Lazarus raised, experienced Palm Sunday, heard the last week's teaching of Jesus, saw the horror of his passion and death, and then experienced the risen Christ. What if he had said, "It is dangerous. Out of love for you - and concern for your safety- let us stay away"?
Paul (and the Psalmist in 44:22) said, "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep for the slaughter" (Rom. 8:36). This is missionary bravery- that gives up health to love others. So Borden, the heir of the Borden fortune was willing to give it all up to go to Egypt- he died on the way and before his death noted that it was well worth it. So Henry Martyn (Mentioned in the Coronavirus and Christ book) who died of the plague in 1812, said, "If he has work for me to do, I cannot die." He indeed finished the Persian New Testament before he died. Or Jim Elliot, who was martyred in South America reaching an unreached tribe for Christ said, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."
Courage looks different for different people. But I know it is not paralysis. Courage is being afraid but finding a way to face that fear. It is the nurse who is nervous going to work anyway. It is the EMS worker picking up covid patient after covid patient. It is the volunteer working at We Care to help the hungry at risk to themselves (even if wearing a mask). Christians are not called to shrink back- but to show the world that we love them- being salt and being light.
We are to be missionaries to a world on fire- with greed, hatred, prejudice, lust, and selfishness. We are each called as Christians to at the minimum pray, next look for ways to help at a distance, and answer our call when the opportunity comes to make a difference. The world is on fire, and we have the extinguisher- the message of the Prince of Peace- in our hands. As a firefighter goes in to save others- so we are called by God to minister to others in His name.
Prayer: Lord, set me on fire for you. Let me go into the world without fear for myself or even those I love.
