The Disciples - Part 7

Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 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.” Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he 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.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:24-29 ESV). You've heard the phrase "Doubting Thomas". We often use it to describe those who just can't quite believe something. They may want to, but there is still some skepticism that keeps them from accepting with full confidence. The rest of the disciples had seen Jesus after his resurrection. Thomas was not there. Perhaps he was still discouraged. His Savior, the One to whom he had devoted his life, the One who he had trusted for safety, had been nailed to a tree. No more was the companionship of the Son of Man. Perhaps he just couldn't convince himself to join the other disciples. By not being there, he missed seeing Jesus. Now, in order to believe the disciples, he wanted tangible proof. He wanted to see Jesus personally. We tend to know Thomas best for his doubts, but he was also capable of displaying great courage. Some accounts of Thomas indicate that he became a great missionary in India during the first century. We do know that when Lazarus died and the disciples and Jesus went to be with him, Thomas said, "Let us also go, that we may die with him." I think he expected Christ to do a miracle, and he wanted to fully experience it. Maybe it's not so bad to have doubts. Christ certainly didn't condemn Thomas. When Jesus appeared again to the disciples, He allowed Thomas to see and feel that He was indeed the Risen Lord. Jesus accepted Thomas in spite of his doubts. You and I, in the face of a sometimes (really many times) dark world, will indeed have periods of doubt. We may experience times when our faith seems so weak. Jesus, the Maker of our souls, would say to us as He said to Thomas: "Peace be with you. Stop doubting and believe." It really isn’t that we have doubts, it is what we do when we have them that counts. Whatever is nagging in the recesses of your mind today, reestablish your faith in the power and promise of God to do what he has promised in your life. Trust him with everything. You won’t be disappointed!