By Richard Walker, retired Anglican clergyman

On the evening of Easter Sunday the disciples were gathered together in a room when Jesus came among them. Seeing him and hearing him speak they believed that he had risen from death. It had a profound effect on them. They lost their fear and began openly to tell people that Jesus was the Saviour of the world. Most of them journeyed all over the known world as missionaries. They were willing to die for their belief and eventually most of them did.

Thomas, one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

But he said, “I don’t believe that.”

26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

Thomas has become known to us as “Doubting Thomas” We do not hear about Thomas any more in the pages of the Bible. But there is a strong tradition that Thomas went as a missionary to India.

In 1498 Vasco da Gama came to Kerala. He was amazed to discover a thriving Christian church whose congregation told him they had been founded by Thomas in 52 AD. Thomas believed that Jesus had risen from the dead. I have met people who worship in that church in India, here in Largs.