COTR Magazine June 2013 | Page 15

Forgiven by : SabrinaAris

Basedon : John20:24-29

Thomaswalkedquicklydowntheroad , glancingfrom sidetosidenervously . Had anyonesenhim ? No , noonewaspayinganyatentiontohim . Takingadepbreathto calm himself , Thomascontinuedwalking . Thelespeoplethatnoticedhim , thebeter . Whoknowswhattheymightdotohim , afterwhattheydidtoJesus ?

Thomasshuddered , rememberingwhatJohnhadtoldhim andtheotherdisciplesaboutJesus ’ death . Slowlyhispaceslightly , Thomasreflectedonhisformerteacher . Whatwerewegoingtodonow , withoutHim ? Wouldwebehidingfortherestofour lives ? WhatwasalthenonsenseaboutJesusbeingraisedfrom thedead , anyway ? Those womenweresurelygoingtogetusarrested !

“ You ! Move , fool !”

Thomasjumpedtotheside , hisheartbeatingwildly , asaRomansoldierracedbyon horseback . ThesoldierturnedhisheadandglaredangrilyatThomas , lockingeyeswith him . Thomasstoodpetrified . Didthesoldierrecognizehim ? Forasplitsecond , Thomas thoughtthesoldiermightturnhishorseandarresthim onthespot . Butthenthesoldier spunhisheadforward , kickedhishorse , androdeoutofsight .

Thomasrandownthestret , whichwasnowbubblingwithexcitedtalk . Hisfet poundedtheearthintimetohisracingheartbeat . Finaly , hereachedthedoorand knockeddesperately . Johnopenedthedoor , andbeamedathim . Hiswholecontinenceradiatedjoy . Thomasstoodstaringathim inconfusion . Whatwaswrongwithhim ?

“ Thomas !” Johnsaid , pulinghim insideandforgetingtoshutthedoor ,“ wehave sentheLord !”

“ Yes !” Peterchimedin ,“ eventhoughtthedoorwasshut , Hecameandappearedin ourmidst !” MathewwalkedforwardandgrabbedThomasbytheshoulders .“ Thomas !” hesaidwith thebiggestsmileThomashadeversen ,“ Heisalive !”

What ? Thomaslookedfrom Mathewtotheotherdisciples , eachofwhom carrieda huge , glowingsmile . Howcouldthisbe ? Hadtheyallostthierminds ? Jesuswasdead ; JohnhadsenHim die ! Theymustbedeliriousfrom grief , orimaginingthings .

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