1. John 11:1-16; John 14:1-6; 20:24-31

2. Matthew 10:2 “These are the names of the twelve apostles: Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; “The Twin” and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. “

3. Always there, though never centre stage  Rugged  Honest (read “blunt”)  Pragmatic (with a pessimistic bias!)  Whole-hearted (dead or alive!) – India is grateful!

4. Demonstrating the best of human commitment (?) “Let us go too, so that we may die with him.” (John 11:1-16)

5. A blunt honesty - the best of human uncertainty ?! " Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” (John 14:1-6)

6. Whole hearted response – the best of human comprehension ! Concerning the resurrected Jesus, "My Lord and My God." John 20:19-29

7. These things did Thomas hold for real: The warmth of blood, the chill of steel, the grain of wood, the heft of stone, the last frail twitch of blood and bone. His brittle certainties denied That one could live when one had died, until his fingers read like Braille the markings of the spear and nail. May we, O God, by grace believe And, in believing, still receive the Christ who held His raw palms out and beckoned Thomas from his doubt. (Thomas Troeger, 1984, Psalter/Hymnal of the Christian Reformed Church)

8. Thomas: “Unless ……… I will never believe.” Jesus: “Do not continue in your unbelief but believe !”

9. John 11:4-15 & 20:24-29 - The Lazarus Saga See beyond the immediate outcome “This sickness will not end in death.” 11:4

10. John 11:4-15 & 20:24-29 - The Lazarus Saga The deliberate delay 11:6 – a teaching tool Stated reason for Lazarus’ death 11:4-5 “… that you may believe.” (What?!)

11. John 11:4-15 & 20:24-29 - The Lazarus Saga Have let the light of God into you? 11:9-10 Otherwise you may be persisting in “doubt” (read “unbelief”) by choice not lack of truth 20:25

12. “Lazarus has died … so that you may believe.” John 11:14 “You believe in God, believe also in me” John 14:1 Thomas sais, Jesus you are “my Lord and my God” John 20:28