“Doubting Thomas!” That’s what he has been known for throughout the centuries. And it’s traced back to the situation right after Jesus’ resurrection. John is the only one to record this scenario. But here’s the thing… Thomas has been given a bad rap. Why do I say this? Because without Thomas’ doubts, we wouldn’t have a piece of the picture we need to see. Let’s examine this for a minute. The day Jesus rose from the dead He first appeared to Mary Magdalene outside the tomb in the early morning hours. Later that night, He appeared to all the disciples, except Thomas. We don’t know why he wasn’t there, but no doubt its for a grander purpose… for you and me. When Thomas finally joined the other disciples and they told him that they had seen Jesus, he didn’t believe them, hence, doubts swirled in his mind. Eight days later, Jesus appeared again to them and this time Thomas was with them. Jesus singled Thomas out and revealed Himself to him and then he proclaimed: “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28).
So, the question becomes… are doubts bad? I would say NO if doubts lead us to question and search for answers. Josh McDowell and Lee Strobel, both atheists, were challenged to seek the truth of the resurrection. They didn’t put down their stakes permanently into unbelief, but they searched until they found the answers. They both came to know Jesus.
Let’s examine two prevalent things from the story of “doubting Thomas.”
1) Jesus met Thomas in the midst of His doubts! It is interesting that Jesus didn’t rebuke Thomas for his doubts, but He met him in the midst of them. And He offered Thomas exactly what he needed. Thomas told the disciples “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 wounds in his side” (John 20:25). When Jesus appeared to the disciples eight days later, Jesus said to Thomas: “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be afraid any longer. Believe” (John 20:27)!
He does the same for us. He met Elijah in the midst of his depression. He met David in the midst of his fear. He met Paul in the midst of his struggles with a thorn in the flesh. And He gave them what they needed at that moment… strength, comfort, hope, and assurance. What do you need right now? Help? A way out? Assurance? Strength? Guidance? Belief? Comfort? Then let Jesus in and let Him meet you right where you are at.
2) Jesus offers a beautiful picture! He said to Thomas, “You have believed because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me” (John 20:29). Hence, Thomas’ doubting was for a grander purpose… so that everyone reading this will know of the blessing on those who have not seen but believe. That’s you and me. Here’s the thing… we have enough evidence to believe… the Bible and the testimonies of eyewitnesses. And another evidence is the transformation in people who have turned to Jesus. I have never heard a story of anyone who regretted their decision to follow Jesus.
Because you and I have put our trust in Jesus and surrendered to His Lordship without actually seeing Jesus in the flesh, we are blessed. That blessing will go with us into eternity. You know the old saying… Absence makes the heart grow fonder? Let me ask you… Is your heart growing fonder for Jesus? If so, fix your eyes on the fact that while we have never seen Jesus here, we will one day stand before Him. One day we will be with Him for all of eternity. I’m thinking that is all the blessing I need right now. How about you?