I have always thought that Thomas got a bum rap.  Down through the centuries we have called him “Doubting Thomas,” when, in reality, he was the greatest believer of them all.  He ended up proclaiming the highest profession of faith we find in the Gospels.  Beholding the risen Christ he said, “My Lord and my God!”

I.  THE FIRST GLIMPSES WE HAVE OF THOMAS IN THE GOSPELS PORTRAY HIM AS A MAN OF CONSIDERABLE COURAGE.  Actually, “Thomas” is not a name.  It means simply, “The Twin.” Of course, over the years it has become a proper name.  But in the beginning it was not.  “The Twin”—to whom?  Some apocryphal Gospels give him a real name, and it is Judas.  One even suggests that he was Jesus’ twin...but that is so fanciful as to be absurd.  It does indicate that Thomas had a special relationship w…