Join Yourself to Christ

Scripture

Our verse for today comes from John 11:16, ” Then Thomas, who is called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, ‘Let us also go, that we may die with Him.’ “

Background

Robin and Maurice Gibb were two-thirds of the famously successful band known as the Bee Gees (the Brothers Gibb). In addition to being younger siblings of the other band member, Barry, they were also twins (and just happen to share a birthday with my youngest daughter). Somewhat less talented but just as popular with their own generation, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen are twin actresses who began performing even before they could walk. Now thirty years old, they have had considerable success as fashion designers. Chang and Eng Bunker were the twin brothers who were most famous because they were joined near their sternum. Born 200 years ago in what was then known as Siam, these ” Siamese ” twins did not have the medical option at that time to be separated, and eventually became recognizable even to my generation in a black-and-white photo wearing a suit and vest. Growing up, I wished I was a twin. And once my wife and I began having children, I prayed for twins. I don’t exactly know why, but something about twins has pulled at my heart for many years.

Application

Jesus evidently chose a twin to be one of His disciples, though who the other sibling was and what the nickname precisely referred to is unclear. Nevertheless, Thomas was called to the inner circle while seemingly someone else was not. Now, was that harder on Thomas or the other twin? Was it more trying to be in and long for the one left out, or was it more difficult to be on the outside looking in? Impossible to say in their unique situation, even as Peter and Andrew and James and John were blessed to follow Jesus alongside their brother. What we do know is Thomas was willing to die with Jesus only days before He was crucified, but that He initially struggled to believe Jesus had overcome that same death. Was he twice as impulsive, or half as believing? I doubt either. I can say that he eventually called Jesus His Lord and His God, and no journey could have a better destination than that, even if there’s only one of you.

Charge

As we seek Him today, focus on being joined together with Christ in purpose and passion in all that you say and do.