One of the people in the Bible close to my heart is the Apostle Thomas. He is often referred to as “doubting Thomas” because he was not with the other followers behind locked doors that first Easter evening when Jesus suddenly apppeared. He said he would not believe Jesus had resurrected unless he saw Jesus himself.
24 But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.’ John 20:24-25
The following Sunday Jesus appeared again and Thomas was present. Jesus invited him to touch and believe. Thomas responded, “My Lord and my God!” Church history has it that Thomas went on to be a missionary to India where he was martyred at age 90. I met an Indian man from that area who claimed the story was true.
Thomas is highlighted in two other passages. When Jesus delays to go to Lazarus who was sick and who had indeed died, Thomas encouraged the others to go with Jesus when he finally decided to go so that Jesus would not have to die alone. Sounds brave. Thomas also is the disciple who questioned Jesus in John 14 when Jesus is encouraging his followers on their way to Gethsemane and eventually the cross. Jesus said he was going to prepare a place and they could follow. Thomas speaks us and questions Jesus who gives his famous reply, “I am the way, the truth and the life.” Perhaps Thomas was not so much a doubter as a realist. Trust is hard when we cannot see nor understand what the other is talking about.
I find it easy to be synical. Politicians say all sorts of stuff and news reports vary with the expert they are interviewing. Dates who swore love left when someone else came along. A doctor might say he got it all but then the cancer returns. And there is the wayward child whom you love so much or the spouse who was suppose to help you die, passes first. Life is full of reversals. I don’t blame Thomas for wanting to see for himself.
Perhaps the focus is not that Thomas doubts but the remarkable fact that Jesus returned and was not put off by Thomas’ doubt. God’s persistence in the face of disbelief and betrayal and dissection is a truth worth recording in Scripture. Friends who are faithful in our distress are wonderful gifts. I pray I can be a friend like Thomas who engages with me when the person does not understand. Perhaps today you are doubting. It is during those times that Jesus invites us to touch and feel and know that he is real, walks with us and cares. We can take our doubts to God in prayer.
The story is not over!
On the Way to Wonder 