Doubting Thomas

John 21: 24-29

Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!"

But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it."

A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though 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; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"

Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."



Thomas is one of the people of the Bible that I have most closely sympathized. No, sympathize… because it is an on-going struggle. I have come to understand what a huge stumbling block this is in my walk. Most of my problems seem to all point to a form of doubt or unbelief (and the lack of understanding about who God is). Unlike me, Thomas was more vocal, "Unless I see… and put my finger… I will not believe it." Is it arrogance? Or perhaps it is also being more authentic… maybe others felt the same way (before they saw Jesus) but too frightened to say (they were hiding behind locked doors). But because of his professed doubt, it became an area of blessing… he was invited to touch the Lords hands and reach out and touch his side!



Our Abba Father knows what is in our hearts. But to be bold and to take it to the Lord… to say, "show me Jesus." I have been struggling with death and dying… it was all consuming and the fear of it was "un-holy." But Jesus met me there too. He was kind and loving and with much Grace and Mercy taught me to believe and to trust Him.



God used Thomas to take the gospel to the non believers. And he was able to say that he touched Jesus' hands and side! So, people like Thomas gives me hope that God can use our doubts and struggles. They can become milestones and areas of growth.

Posted by Helen Whang