Undoubtedly, Thomas

This post was originally published February 22, 2024, by Seed Basket Devotional.

Here is an audio link for this post.

“My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed.“

John 20:28 (NLT)

Why would I ever choose someone known as Doubting Thomas for a faith topic?

That’s easy! There is more to the story of Thomas than we may know. He had a true heart of love and friendship for Jesus in spite of any doubts.

Jesus wanted to go to Jerusalem. The Pharisees had called on the people to help them get to Jesus. They want to put an end to the talk about the Messiah. But Jesus wasn’t hiding.

Jesus’ friend Lazarus had died. Lazarus and his sisters, Mary and Martha lived in Bethany, just two miles from Jerusalem. The Temple was there, and so were the enemies of Jesus.

These religious enforcers had an evil grip on all of the Jews.

The Pharisees had already tried to capture Jesus 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

But look how Thomas responded.

Thomas…said to his fellow disciples, “Let’s go, too—and die with Jesus.”

John 11:16

Thomas didn’t have faith that Jesus could save the day, but he did display the loyalty and courage of a friend.

Thomas believed they would die in 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 Lord.

Jesus showed us that we would face the trial of fear, but He taught us how to overcome it. He didn’t say we would not be afraid He said, “do not be afraid”. (John 14:27)

Why? (Hebrews 13:5-6)

Cowardice and courage are choices we make. Jesus had patience for the frailty that gripped Thomas. Jesus has that patience for you and me, too. But overcoming fear is overwhelming and impossible without a close, personal relationship with God.

Thomas was in the Upper Room when Jesus washed the feet of the disciples and shared the Lord’s Supper, but he didn’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.

After the resurrection, Jesus entered the room where the grieving disciples were hiding. Read how Jesus joined them. (John 29:19-23)

They rejoiced to see Him alive, knowing in their hearts that He was their Lord and Savior.

Jesus knew that Thomas was not there. But Jesus knew right where Thomas was. When the other disciples told Thomas about their encounter with Jesus, he still didn’t believe.

Thomas is the only disciple that had not yet received the Holy Spirit, nor had he believed that Jesus is Lord. But Thomas would soon be reunited with his Friend.

Jesus never loses sight of His children.

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. Coercion is tyranny, not love.

By God’s grace, Thomas was saved.

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

…Thomas … was not with the others when Jesus came. 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.”

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 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!”

“My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed. Then Jesus told him,“You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”

John 20:24-29

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

Below is a little something extra. The passage is a conversation between Jesus and Thomas.

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)

Share the Good News in your world!

Isaiah 52:7

New Living Translation

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.