A recent conversation brought thoughts back to Thomas. You know which one -the doubting Thomas.
In the Gospel of John, we find the story of Thomas, one of the disciples not present when Jesus first revealed Himself to the disciples after His resurrection.
Thomas. Doubting Thomas. The label has stuck down through the years.
I admire Thomas. He did not believe the report from the others. He told them he would have to see Jesus with his own eyes, and feel Jesus with his own hands, in order to believe Jesus was indeed risen. Thomas would not say he believed when he did not. He was brave enough to state his doubts.
And he was left to wrestle with his doubts for eight days longer. Scripture tells us:
“After eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus *came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” (John 20:26, NASB)
The disciples were together once again, and this time Thomas was with them behind locked doors. Suddenly Jesus is standing among them. I cannot help but wonder if He was standing directly next to Thomas himself. Jesus does not criticize Thomas. He does not reprimand him. If anything, the words He speaks to Thomas indicate Jesus not only understood his doubt, He also wanted to relieve him of the burden of doubt.
“Then He *said to Thomas, “Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing.” (verse 27)
Christ encourages Thomas to do the very thing Thomas had stated he needed to do in order to believe. Jesus encourages Thomas to touch His wounds. Jesus exhorts Thomas not to be faithless any longer, but to believe.
And Thomas responds:
“Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” (verse 28)
Thomas received his proof, and the answer to all his doubts. Doubt has been dispelled and in that split moment, he expresses nothing but deep, sincere, heartfelt belief.
Doubting Thomas becomes believing Thomas. Faith grows when we sincerely seek answers.
Due to Thomas’ declaration of faith, Scripture tells us:
“Jesus *said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.” (verse 29)
Jesus tells Thomas there will be others who will believe without having seen. They will be blessed for having believed without ever seeing.
The writer of Hebrews confirms this for us:
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1, NASB)
May we be like Thomas –
bringing our doubts and questions to Jesus, so then we respond,
“My Lord and my God!”
Are you a list person or one who just goes with the flow? That is the question Lynn Simpson puts before us in her post “For the Joy of Lists” HERE. You will be blessed and encouraged by both her words and her photos!
Come, sit a spell. Bring your coffee, your posts, and your thoughts. If you link up, kindly visit those who have drawn up a seat around you.
Image by 123fotosweb from Pixabay
