“Now Thomas (also known as Didymus) one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came.” – John 20:24
bible verses about thomas
The Doubt of Thomas
We can all relate to Thomas, the disciple known for his doubts. In our lives, there are moments when uncertainty clouds our faith. It is reassuring to remember that even Thomas, one of Jesus’ closest followers, struggled with doubt. Through this experience, we learn that questions and doubts do not hinder our relationship with God. Instead, they can lead us to a deeper understanding of our faith and a stronger connection to Christ. Just like Thomas, we can present our doubts to God, knowing He is willing to reveal Himself to us. We should find comfort in this knowledge and use our doubts as stepping stones to greater faith.
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 20:27
“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
John 20:28
“Thomas said to him, ‘My Lord and my God!'” – John 20:28
John 20:29
“Then Jesus told him, ‘Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.'” – John 20:29
The Faithfulness of Thomas
Despite his doubts, Thomas demonstrated incredible loyalty and bravery. His willingness to speak up when he was unsure speaks volumes about his character. When tensions arose regarding Jesus’ journey to Judea, it was Thomas who urged the other disciples to accompany Jesus, saying they should go and die with Him if necessary. This boldness shows that Thomas was not just a doubter but also a devoted follower of Christ. We should be inspired by his example of faithfulness, recognizing that it’s possible to have doubts while still being committed to our beliefs. Our faith can thrive in the atmosphere of questioning, leading us to a deeper understanding of God’s purpose.
John 11:16
“Then Thomas (also known as Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, ‘Let us also go, that we may die with him.'” – John 11:16
John 14:5
“Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?'” – John 14:5
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
John 14:7
“If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” – John 14:7
John 14:8
“Philip said, ‘Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.'” – John 14:8
The Calling of Thomas
When Jesus called His disciples, he chose the willing hearts, including Thomas. This selection reminds us that God calls everyone, regardless of their flaws or doubts. Our uncertainties do not disqualify us from serving Him. We are chosen to be instruments of His will. Thomas, despite his moments of doubt, played an important role in spreading the gospel. Let us be encouraged that God sees the potential within each of us, just as He did with Thomas. We must remain open to His calling even when we feel unworthy or unsure. Our journey with Christ is not defined by our doubts but by our response to His grace and purpose.
Matthew 10:3
“Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus.” – Matthew 10:3
Mark 3:18
“Andrew, Philip, and Bartholomew; Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.” – Mark 3:18
Luke 6:15
“Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot.” – Luke 6:15
John 1:45
“Philip found Nathanael and told him, ‘We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.'” – John 1:45
John 4:29
“‘Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?'” – John 4:29
The Transformation of Thomas
When Thomas encountered the risen Christ, he experienced a transformation that changed his life forever. This moment exemplifies how a personal meeting with Jesus can turn doubts into faith. Thomas moved from disbelief to proclaiming Jesus as Lord and God. This powerful transformation reminds us that encountering Christ can lead to profound changes in our hearts and minds. Our moments of doubt can be the catalysts for growth, allowing us to see God’s glory in new ways. As we seek Him, we too can experience transformation, shifting from uncertainty to assured faith. Let’s be open to the changes He wants to bring in our lives.
Acts 1:13
“When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James.” – Acts 1:13
Acts 1:14
“They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.” – Acts 1:14
Acts 2:1
“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.” – Acts 2:1
Acts 2:14
“Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd:’Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say.'” – Acts 2:14
Acts 2:38
“Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'” – Acts 2:38
The Legacy of Thomas
Thomas’ life is a reminder of how faith can flourish even in the face of doubt. His struggles didn’t define him; instead, they contributed to his legacy. This legacy inspires many today as we see how an honest expression of doubt can lead to a stronger faith. It’s essential for us to acknowledge that our journeys may include questions and uncertainties, but that does not diminish our worth or purpose in Christ. Thomas’ life encourages us to share our struggles and seek guidance, knowing that God can turn our trials into testimonies. A legacy like Thomas’ shows that God writes beautiful stories with our lives, no matter our background or shortcomings.
Matt 28:19
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” – Matthew 28:19
Matt 28:20
“And teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” – Matthew 28:20
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
Acts 8:1
“And Saul approved of their killing him. On that day, a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.” – Acts 8:1
Acts 8:4
“Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.” – Acts 8:4
The Hope Found in Thomas
Through Thomas’ story, we find a message of hope. Our doubts do not disqualify us from experiencing the love and grace of Jesus. Like Thomas, we may struggle to believe at times, but we can hold on to the truth that Christ meets us right where we are. He invites us to bring our doubts and concerns to Him in prayer. In moments of uncertainty, we can find peace through His presence. This assurance encourages us to trust Him fully, believing that He will guide us through the confusion. Just as Thomas received hope through his encounter with the risen Jesus, we too can find hope in our personal stories as we walk with Him every day. God never turns away those who seek Him earnestly.
Romans 8:24
“For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?” – Romans 8:24
Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” – Hebrews 11:1
Hebrews 11:6
“And without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” – Hebrews 11:6
Psalm 42:11
“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” – Psalm 42:11
Isaiah 40:31
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.” – Isaiah 40:31
Final Thoughts
As we reflect on the life of Thomas, we realize that our doubts do not define us. Just as he moved from doubt to a powerful confession of faith, we too can experience transformation through our struggles. It’s natural to have questions and uncertainties along our faith journey, but we should remember that God invites us to bring those doubts to Him. By doing so, we can cultivate a stronger relationship with Him.
Thomas reminds us that faithfulness and loyalty can exist alongside our uncertainties. By embracing our struggles and seeking God, we can grow in our understanding of His love and grace. Each of us has a unique story, just like Thomas, and our legacy can encourage others in their walk of faith.
Let’s trust that through our doubts, God will reveal Himself and provide us with the hope we seek. If you want to learn more about lessons from Thomas or explore related topics, check out the bible verses about thomas or visit Bible Repository for additional encouragement in your faith journey.