Notable Exceptions....

[This is the First in a set of blog entries on exceptions...]

First consider...

• Proverbs 30:5-6  Do not add to His words Or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar. Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. 

For some reason, humans seem to need to make changes as a way to 'further explain' what God said.  We, Believers, church leaders, authors, teachers, etc., are just like sports commentators or the news media trying to explain to us what we just saw or heard with our own senses.  How useless...and in light of God's WORD...how dangerous!

What is a notable exception?   I. am. one.  Are you? 

It is only now, late in life, that I begin to appreciate this fact.  Exceptions are one of few things in life that are always 'notable.'

Actually, were I able to teach another Ladies Bible Study, this is the first topic I would choose...scripture is full of notable exceptions that have been 'explained' into oblivion, because of a continuing Pharisee-type thought we propogate in churches though we try not to.  We don't like exceptions...we want yes or not; right or wrong; fair or not.

One example of a powerful 'exception' is found in the book of John:  Jesus visited the Disciples suddenly without using a window or door for entrance.  He had told them he was rising on the third day and also predicted other occurances after his death.  Pretty challenging to believe, isn't it?

Just imagine the valuable lessons we would have missed if Thomas had not missed this big reappearance event!  I love Thomas because he was REAL!  Here's the story, absent the 'notable exception'....

"But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said, "WOW! Right through the walls, huh?"

OR....

"But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said, "Well that's not fair; he could've waited for me!"

So if Thomas had not been set up for this time, what would we have missed?  How many hours have we debated the urgency of belief...the many interpretations of the response of Jesus the next time he saw Thomas.  Was Thomas always a  doubter by habit or temperament?  Was this the first time he doubted the power of Jesus?  Yet the lesson is simple...God understands how challenging it is for us to accept his awesome power and intervention on our behalf.  So he gave us a wonderful lesson through this man, Thomas, who is just one of us.  He would have been crazy to have behaved any way but as he did!  He was just the red apple in a barrell of green ones.  I feel that way sometimes!

What awesome lesson we would have missed to have not read, and witnessed through words, the important real message of love and care from our Lord...I own this personal view of the importance of the meeting of Thomas and Jesus.  (See what I mean...I'm about to 'explain' what you have already read for yourself!)

"Touch my hand, Thomas, and believe...for with this action I demonstrate that for always I will reach out my hand to give to my followers what they need to believe.  My hand of love and reassurance I give to every Believer.  I will never be out of their presence without some evidence of my continuing love and protection...I will be with them - always, always, always."

THANK YOU for your human realness Thomas!  You're a genuinely good apple of exceptional worth.

I. hope. I'm. like. you.