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.

~ 14 ~