Thomas, our Apostle for today, was dubbed “doubting Thomas” because he was not in the upper room when Jesus appeared to them after the resurrection. Doubt is that feeling of uncertainty; it is a disbelief that something may or may not be true. It is a lack of confidence in someone or something. In John 20:24-25, the disciples tell Thomas about seeing Jesus, but he doesn’t believe them. This pessimist wanted his own proof. He wanted to put his hands on the scars from the crucifixion.
John 20:24-25 “But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples, therefore, said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
In my opinion, most have been too harsh on Thomas. Upon examining all that we know about him, we find that he is pessimistic; however, this outlook does not hinder his devotion to Jesus. In John chapter 11, the disciples and Jesus had left Jerusalem because the Jews sought to kill Jesus. In John 10:40, we find that they went away beyond the Jordon and Jesus was still preaching and multitudes were believing. Note, wherever we are, we are still to be a witness for Christ. These men were in danger of losing their lives, but it didn’t stop them; it just changed their direction. Their passion for Christ pushed them to witness wherever they landed. Thomas was in the midst of doing everything possible to promote Jesus. He shows His deep love in John 11:16. Jesus had received the message that Lazarus was sick and near death. He tells his disciples that they will return to Judea again. Immediately, they begin to remind him that it is dangerous, and they try to convince him not to go. They all feared that Jesus’ death was imminent if he returned to the region.
John 11:7-8 “Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again. His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?
As they feared for Jesus’ life and their own. Some must have decided they couldn’t risk going back because Thomas speaks up and says, “Let us also go, that we may die with Him.” He loved Jesus so much that the thought of being away from Him was more than He could bear. He would rather die with Him than live without Him.
John 11:16 “Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.”
Was he doubting Jesus was in control of the situation? Yes, he was, but even in the face of his pessimistic attitude, he had the courage to be loyal. His main goal was to be with Jesus wherever that may be. He wouldn’t allow his devotion to be dampened by the circumstances.
Thomas again speaks up in John 14:5. Jesus is telling them that He will be leaving them, but He will be going to prepare a place for them, and there they will be with Him as well. Thomas is still concerned about the separation. Thomas says to Jesus, We don’t know where you are going, so how will we know how to get there. Again, Thomas’s main concern is staying with Jesus.
John 14:2-5 “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?”
Next, we see Thomas after the resurrection. As I stated earlier, the disciples were in the upper room and Jesus appeared to them, but Thomas was not with them. We don’t know for sure why he was not there, but it is very possible he was mourning and would rather be alone. His personality expresses itself many times in pessimism, and that may have led him into a deep depression. His worst fears had come to pass, and his hope was gone. He was not in the mood to socialize. When the disciples told him they had seen the Lord, he wouldn’t allow himself to believe them. He wanted proof.
All the disciples had doubts because they couldn’t understand what was happening. In Mark 16:10-11, when Mary Magdalene told the disciples she had seen Jesus, they didn’t believe her either. When the disciples on the road to Emmaus walked with Him, they had walked a long distance before they realized it was Jesus. Thomas may have doubted more, but he also seemed to sorrow more.
It was eight days later when Jesus appeared to the disciples again, and this time Thomas was there. Jesus tells him to touch his hands and his side. Thomas’s statement says much about how Thomas felt. He addresses Jesus as “my Lord and my God.” Jesus was more than a friend to Thomas; He was truly his Master. This is the God-man that Thomas loved so much that He wanted to die with him.
John 20:27-28 “Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.”
Thomas may have acquired the term “doubting Thomas,” but he was far more than that. Are you a “doubting Thomas?” Do you really believe all that God’s word says? If you do, it should cause you to be a great witness for Him, not fearing what man will say, but fearing what will happen to them if they do not listen. If we believe in all His promises, our whole outlook on life and death will be Christ-centered. True belief motivates us to move forward, and we become optimistic, hopeful, and joyful. Worry and doubt will be gone. Stop doubting and believe! Be the Thomas who loved Jesus more than anything in this world!
