By David Faust
Do you know any twins?
Twin brothers Ronde and Tiki Barber both played football in the NFL. In high school, identical twins Tom and Dick Van Arsdale shared Indiana’s Mr. Basketball title and they went on to play together at Indiana University. They finished their professional careers on the same NBA team, the Phoenix Suns.
In 1959, the Wrigley Company signed twins Jayne and Joan Knoerzer to appear in television ads and sing the Doublemint chewing gum jingle, “Double your pleasure, double your fun.” Twin actors Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen started appearing in the TV show Full House when they were only 6 months old. In the 1988 movie Twins, the mismatched duo of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito played fraternal twins who were separated at birth.
Twin singers Robin and Maurice Gibb performed together with the Bee Gees. Jenna and Barbara Bush, daughters of President George W. Bush, were the first set of twins to live in the White House. Perhaps the most famous twins in history were Jacob and Esau, whose tumultuous rivalry began before they were born as they jostled each other in their mother’s womb.
Which Way Is Up?
Do you realize Jesus had a disciple who evidently was a twin? Thomas was also known by the Greek name Didymus, and both of his names mean “twin.” (Did he have a twin brother or sister nicknamed Doubting Titus or Doubting Tabitha?)
Thomas is known for his wavering faith, but he wasn’t alone in his skepticism. At first, the other apostles considered the initial reports of Jesus’ resurrection nonsense until they saw him with their own eyes (Luke 24:11). It makes sense to seek reasonable evidence to confirm the facts before believing.
On one occasion, Thomas demonstrated exceptional loyalty and courage. After hearing about the death of Lazarus, Jesus headed toward Jerusalem where he was a marked man. Thomas bravely told the others, “Let us also go, that we may die with him” (John 11:16). Doubting Thomas was Daring Thomas that day.
On the night before the cross, Thomas asked Jesus, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” (John 14:5). What a question to ask Jesus—at the Last Supper, no less! It was like a panicky student asking his teacher to explain the entire semester’s lessons on the night before the final exam. Jesus had spent three years educating his disciples, but Thomas still didn’t know which way was up.
Seeking Truth
In a way, though, Thomas spoke for all of us who seek truth. Jesus responded, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Some of the disciples didn’t get it then, and many today still don’t get it; but Jesus knows which way is up. He not only points to heaven’s pathway; he is the pathway. He doesn’t just talk about truth; he embodies it.
In a sense, I am Thomas’s twin. You might be, too. At times, most believers wrestle with troublesome doubts. But when we bring our honest questions to the Lord, the evidence for faith is strong enough to make us fall at the feet of the risen Christ and exclaim, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28).
Personal Challenge: In your relationship with God, what question or doubt troubles you most? Read a book or an article that deals with the issue, or discuss your question with another believer who can help you find answers that will strengthen your faith in the Lord.
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