“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.'” – John 20:27
Understanding Doubt
As followers of Christ, we may encounter moments of uncertainty and doubt, just like Thomas did. His journey highlights that even the most devoted believers can struggle with faith. In the moments when we feel unsure, we do not need to hide our doubts. Instead, we could take them to Jesus, who invites us to engage with Him fully. It’s comforting to realize that Jesus meets us where we are, encouraging us to transform our doubts into belief. When Thomas questioned, Jesus responded with gentleness, empowering Thomas to see and believe. This exchange reminds us that it’s okay to have questions, as God welcomes our sincere inquiries and wants us to arrive at a deeper faith through our interactions with Him.
John 20:24
“Now Thomas (also known as Didymus) one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came.” – John 20:24
John 20:25
“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.'” – John 20:25
John 20:26
“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!'” – John 20:26
John 14:6
“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'” – John 14:6
Matthew 17:20
“He replied, ‘Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.'” – Matthew 17:20
Jesus’ Compassion
In our interactions with Jesus, we can always recognize His profound compassion. Just as He showed understanding to Thomas, we also experience His loving presence in our lives. Jesus did not scold Thomas for doubting; rather, He invited him to touch His wounds. This reveals that Jesus is patient with us when we struggle to believe. We can look to Him as a source of comfort during our toughest times. Whether we face doubt, fear, or challenges, we can be assured that Jesus embodies love and grace. By focusing on His compassion, we can find the strength to overcome our struggles, just like Thomas. Jesus is always ready to reassure us that He is near, willing to meet our needs with understanding.
Matthew 9:36
“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” – Matthew 9:36
Luke 7:13
“When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, ‘Don’t cry.'” – Luke 7:13
Mark 6:34
“When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.” – Mark 6:34
John 11:35
“Jesus wept.” – John 11:35
Hebrews 4:15
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet he did not sin.” – Hebrews 4:15
Faith After Doubt
Moving from doubt to faith is a profound transformation we can learn from Thomas’ experience. His initial reluctance to accept the resurrection did not diminish his love for Jesus. Instead, it paved the way for a deeper understanding and acceptance of who Christ is. When we dare to confront our uncertainties, we may emerge with a stronger faith. Just as Thomas feared believing without seeing, we may sometimes feel insecure in our own faith journeys. However, reflecting on this can encourage us to lean into faith despite our fears. Jesus shows us that true belief often comes from experiencing Him personally. Acknowledging our doubts can exist side by side with our faith, ultimately leading us to a more profound relationship with God.
John 20:28
“Thomas said to him, ‘My Lord and my God!'” – John 20:28
Romans 10:17
“Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.” – Romans 10:17
2 Corinthians 5:7
“For we live by faith, not by sight.” – 2 Corinthians 5:7
Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” – Hebrews 11:1
James 1:6
“But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” – James 1:6
Witnessing the Resurrection
The resurrection of Jesus is a cornerstone of our faith, and Thomas’ experience emphasizes the importance of recognizing this incredible event. After he witnessed the risen Christ and proclaimed His divinity, it significantly deepened his understanding of Jesus’ true nature. We are encouraged to celebrate and proclaim the resurrection, which stands as the ultimate assurance of our faith. Just as Thomas was called to be a witness, we are also invited to share our own stories of how we have encountered the living Christ. This opportunity to testify about His power and love strengthens our faith and the faith of those around us. In taking part in the resurrection narrative, we align ourselves with the very essence of Christianity.
Acts 1:8
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” – Acts 1:8
1 Corinthians 15:4
“That he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” – 1 Corinthians 15:4
Luke 24:48
“You are witnesses of these things.” – Luke 24:48
John 20:31
“But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” – John 20:31
Matthew 28:6
“He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.” – Matthew 28:6
The Role of Scripture
The Scriptures play a significant role in helping us understand Jesus and His relationship with Thomas. By studying this narrative, we gain insights into the themes of faith, doubt, and revelation. Just as Thomas’ story contributes to the larger narrative of God’s love, our personal stories and interactions with the Bible enrich our faith journey. The Scriptures guide us in exploring our questions and affirming our beliefs. They call us to place our faith in what God has revealed and to trust in His promises. When we delve into His Word, it strengthens our hearts and enlightens our minds. We can find inspiration and wisdom that helps us navigate our spiritual walk, much like how Thomas eventually recognized Jesus as Lord.
2 Timothy 3:16
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” – 2 Timothy 3:16
Luke 24:27
“And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.” – Luke 24:27
Psalms 119:105
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” – Psalms 119:105
Romans 15:4
“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.” – Romans 15:4
Hebrews 4:12
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” – Hebrews 4:12
Living the Faith
Finally, we are called to live out our faith in everyday life, just like Thomas did after he encountered the risen Jesus. His story encourages us to step beyond our doubts and adopt a lifestyle rooted in trust in Christ. Jesus wants us to share the good news with others, just as Thomas did in his later years. We are called to reflect His love and light in a world that often needs hope. When we choose to trust and follow Him, even amidst uncertainties, we exemplify what it means to abide in Christ. Living out our faith is both a challenge and a privilege, inviting us to bear witness to His incredible love and grace each day. We can embrace the legacy of Thomas by accepting that faith grows through sharing our testimonies and reaching out to others.
Matthew 5:16
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16
Romans 12:2
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.” – Romans 12:2
Galatians 2:20
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” – Galatians 2:20
Philippians 4:13
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:13
John 15:5
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5
Final Thoughts
Our exploration of the relationship between Jesus and Thomas enriches our faith in remarkable ways. Through their interactions, we connect with human emotions like doubt, struggle, and faith. These stories remind us that questioning can lead to deeper beliefs. Jesus exemplified compassion and patience, guiding Thomas from doubt to unwavering faith. As we grow in our own spiritual walk, we can appreciate the transformational power of encountering the risen Christ. By embracing our experiences, we can shine His light in the world.
This journey encourages us to trust in God’s Word and live out our faith daily. We are reminded that faith isn’t always easy, but it’s worthwhile. In our challenges and victories, we always have Jesus beside us, inviting us to grow closer to Him. Just like Thomas, we can step into a relationship of trust that encompasses every part of our lives.
We hope you feel inspired to explore more topics in your faith. For instance, check out our insights on friendship with Jesus or browse other resources at Bible Repository. May your journey in faith continue to flourish!