Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen Me?
Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
John 20:29 (ESV)
Series: The Gift of Faith
Many expressions incorporate names to describe a person’s character or appearance. Have you ever been called a “Debbie Downer,” Negative Nancy,” Chatty Cathy,” Nosy Nelly,” or a Plain Jane?” I hope not! Some popular idioms like these have historical significance and are rooted in specific instances that have made them recognizable and memorable.
The phrase “Doubting Thomas” has become a common expression for someone who is skeptical, refusing to believe without direct proof. It originated from the Bible in the Gospel of John. After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples, but Thomas wasn’t with them. Let’s turn to John 20:25 (ESV) to hear Thomas’s response to the disciples’ report.
“So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into His side, I will never believe.”
Before we cast stones at Thomas for his unbelief, let’s look a little closer at him and his previous interactions with Jesus recorded in Scripture. Thomas was one of the twelve disciples called by Jesus. We know he loved Jesus to the point of being willing to die for Him. In John 11, we read the conversation between Jesus and his disciples about the death of Lazarus. Concerning going to Judea, the disciples questioned Jesus about returning to the place where the Jews were recently seeking to stone Him. In John 11:16 (ESV) we hear Thomas’ response.
“So Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with Him.”
Another conversation between Jesus and Thomas occurs in John 14. Jesus is telling His disciples He will prepare a place for them in His Father’s house.
“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going. Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” John 14:3-5 (ESV)
In his response, Thomas shows a lack of understanding and a sense of anxiety about these future events. After Jesus’ death, he was likely filled with anguish and despair. Thomas was an ordinary man, hurt and confused by circumstances that overwhelmed him and challenged his faith. Can you relate? God has called us to live by faith. The problem is that faith isn’t natural for us. Doubt is. Worry is. Fear is. It is only by the grace of God that we are saved through faith (Ephesians 2:8), and only by the grace of God that we can walk by faith.
When Jesus appeared to His disciples eight days later, Thomas was among them. Jesus said to Thomas,
“Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” John 20:27 (ESV)
Jesus did not respond with impatience or anger. He spoke to Thomas with love, compassion, and a desire for him to believe. It wasn’t necessary for Thomas to touch Jesus. He answered Him, “My Lord and my God!” Thomas believed because He saw. Jesus encourages him and us to believe, even when we cannot see.
How many of us have been a “Doubting Thomas” at some point in our lives? When we face the “how’s,” “why’s,” and “what if’s,” of life events, our faith is often clouded with doubt. But we don’t have to feel guilt or shame for our weak faith. We can cry out to the Lord as the apostles did in Luke 17:5: “Increase our faith!” And we remember the promise given us in 2 Corinthians 12:9a:
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
May we seek His strength and rejoice, knowing that our hope is based on His faithfulness, not ours!
Holding Fast to Hope,
Linda
Scripture References: John 14:3-5, 20:16, 25, 27, 29; Ephesians 2:8; Luke 17:5; 2 Corinthians 12:9a