Undoubtedly, Thomas

“My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed.

John 20:28 (NLT)

So why would I ever choose someone known as Doubting Thomas for a faith topic? Well, maybe because there is more to Thomas than we have paid attention to before. Let’s learn more about Thomas by reading about his early walk with Jesus, before he was known as Doubting Thomas.

When we first meet Thomas, he actually displays faith, courage, and conviction when Jesus wants to go to Jerusalem. The Pharisees have called on the people to locate Jesus. They want to put an end to the talk about the Messiah.

In the Gospel of John 11, Jesus’ friend Lazarus has died, and Jesus calls him back to life after four days.

Lazarus and his sisters, Mary and Martha, lived in Bethany, just two miles from Jerusalem, where the Jewish temple was located and the religious leaders held a fearful grip on the Jews.

The Pharisees were actively looking for a way to kill Jesus. They had already tried to capture Him and stone Him.

When the disciples knew that Jesus was determined to go to Bethany, they encouraged Him to re-think that plan because of their fear. John 11:8

The surest way to be a follower of Christ Jesus is to do so without fear. Jesus, the Redeemer, showed us that we would face trouble but taught us how to be unafraid. He didn’t say we would not be afraid but that we should not be afraid.

Cowardice and courage are choices we make. Remembering that our Savior has called us to any task enables us to shine with His light in this dark world.

You will never agree with that statement while you live half-heartedly as a believer. Overcoming fear is overwhelming and impossible without a close, personal relationship with God.

Thomas had conviction on one particular day before Jesus died. Look at what he says in John 11:16 (NLT)  Thomas, nicknamed the Twin,^[a] said to his fellow disciples, “Let’s go, too—and die with Jesus.” J

Even though Thomas isn’t displaying faith that Jesus can save the day, he is displaying the loyalty and courage of a friend.

The salvation of Thomas is not far away, though. He didn’t believe they would all live through an encounter with the Pharisees. But he knew it was right to follow Jesus, his friend. Soon he would be assured that it was right to follow Jesus, His Redeemer.

Now Thomas’ story takes a turn. He was in the Upper Room when Jesus washed the feet of the disciples and to eat the Lord’s Supper, but he doesn’t appear again until after the crucifixion. This doesn’t mean he didn’t witness it; it’s just not mentioned in scripture.

The first moment we know that Thomas was absent, was when the resurrected Jesus appears to the mystified and frightened group soon after His resurrection.

In John 20:19-23 (NLT), Jesus enters the room where the grieving disciples are hiding. They rejoice to see Him alive, knowing in their hearts that He is their Savior. Jesus tells them, “Receive the Holy Spirit” and breathes the Spirit on them.

Jesus knew that Thomas was not there among them. But Jesus knew right where Thomas was. Eight days later the doubting disciple was reunited with his Friend.

When the other disciples told Thomas about their encounter with Jesus he still didn’t believe.

Let’s not be hasty when it comes to judging the faith of others. We all have serious doubts sometimes. But Jesus never loses sight of us. If we are truly born again, He holds us fast. He helps us grow into our faith.

Still, at this point, Thomas is not what we would label as saved. He has not received the Holy Spirit, nor has he believed that Jesus is God’s Son who came to save sinners. He probably doesn’t know what to believe.

Here is my favorite part of the story. Thomas, weak like you and me, is offered God’s grace and love without earning it. He isn’t coerced into redemption. By God’s grace, he was saved.

Let’s let John finish telling this beautiful true story:

John 20:24-29 (NLT)

One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin),^[c] was not with the others when Jesus came. ²⁵ They told him, “We have seen the Lord!”But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.”²⁶ Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. ²⁷ Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!”²⁸ “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed.²⁹ Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”

Photo by Ken Carley

That’s all it takes for you and me, too 

“If you openly declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9 (NLT)

Below is a little something extra. I wonder how many of you remember that Jesus was talking to Thomas here? I didn’t. This was one of those experiences in reading God’s Word when the Spirit helped me see what I’ve missed though I’ve read this passage many times.

We all recognize the verse. Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.  If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!”

John 14:6 & 7 (NLT)

That was Jesus talking to Thomas. I encourage you to read this passage completely in your own time. You will be blessed.

New Living Translation (NLT)

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.