which burst from the lips of Thomas, when convinced that his Lord had risen indeed, — the noble exclamation, "My Lord and my God," — admits of only one meaning. It was a distinct testimony to our blessed Lord's divin- ity. It was a clear, unmistakable declaration that Thomas believed Him, whom he saw and touched that day, to be not only man, but God. Above all, it was a testimony which our Lord received and did not prohibit, and a declaration which He did not say one word to re- buke. When Cornelius fell down at the feet of Peter and would have worshipped him, the Apostle refused such honor at once : " Stand up ; I myself also am a man." (Acts x. 26.) When the people of Lystra would have done sacrifice to Paul and Barnabas, " they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, saying, Sirs, w^hy do ye these things ? We also are men of like pas- sions with you." (Acts xiv. 14.) But when Thomas says to Jesus, '* My Lord and my God," the words do not elicit a syllable of reproof from our holy and truth- loving Master. Can we doubt that these things were written for our learning ?
Let us settle it firmly in our minds that the divinity of Christ is one of the grand foundation truths of Chris- tianity, and let us be willing to go to the stake rather than let it go. Unless our Lord Jesus is very God of very God, there is an end of His mediation, His atone- ment. His advocacy. His priesthood, His whole work of redemption. These glorious doctrines are useless blas- phemies, unless Christ is divine. Forever let us bless God that the divinity of our Lord is taught everywhere in the Scriptures, and stands on evidence that can never be overthrown. Above all, let us daily repose our sin- ful souls on Christ with undoubting confidence, as one who is perfect God as well as perfect man. He is man, and therefore can be touched with the feeling of our in-
^Qg EXPOSITOKY THOUGHTS
firraities. He is God, and therefore is " able to save to the uttermost all who come unto God by Him." That Christian has no cause to fear, who can Iook to Jesus by- faith, and say with Thomas, " My Lord and my God." With such a Saviour we need not be afraid to begin the life of real religion, and with such a Saviour we may boldly go on.
Notes. John xx. 24—31.
2i.—[But Thomas one...tweUe...Didymus^ The story of the sec- ond appearance of Christ to the whole company of the Apostles, for the special benefit of Thomas, is one of those narratives which are only found in St. John's Gospel. We ought to feel thankful that it has been recorded. It is precisely one of those stories which supply strong indirect evidence of the divine in- spiration of the Scriptures and the genuine honesty of the Gos- pel writers. An uninspired man, much less a dishonest impostor, would not have told us of the unbelief of a chosen Apostle. Moreover it is one of those stories which throw most useful light on a very interesting subject. That subject is the great variety of temperament which may be found among true Christians.
Chrysostom remarks, " Observe the truthfulness of the disci- ples. They hide no faults, either their own or others ; but re- cord them with great veracity."
Cardinal Bellarmine, according to Gerhard, goes so far as to Bay that the history of Thomas, like that of Noah's drunken- ness, David's adultery, and Peter's denial, is a reason why the laity ought not to read the Bible, lest forsooth they should get harm ! The worthy Cardinal forgets that we need beacons to warn us against danger, and examples of Christ's mercy to sin- ful and dull people in order to encourage us to repent.
Concerning the Apostle Thomas we know little. Twice in the G'ospel of St. John we find him saying something, and on each occasion he appears in the same character. When our Lord declared His intention of going to Bethany, and saya plainly that Lazarus is dead, Thomas says to his fellow-disci- ples, " Let us also go, that we may die with Him." (John xi. 16.) When our Lord in His parting address to His disciples said, " Whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto Him, Lord, we know not whither Thou goest; and how can we know the way?" (John xiv. 4, 5.) He always seems to be one of those desponding, fearful, gloomy-minded Christians, who look at the dark side of every subject and con- dition, and can never see a bit of blue sky, — who go on their