Doubting Thomas?
Opening Prayer
“Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24b).
Read John 20:24–31
24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 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.”
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!” 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.”
28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
The Purpose of John’s Gospel
30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 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.
New International Version (NIV)
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Reflect
How annoying is it when people around you are excitedly recounting something they have experienced which you have missed?Today it’s the turn of Thomas to take center stage. “Doubting Thomas” we say, but I wonder if that is fair. Put yourself in his shoes as the disciples gather together and tell him: “We have seen the Lord!” Thomas simply wanted to see for himself, which seems fair enough. He is no different from the rest of them who only believed once they had seen. Maybe he was a bit of a pessimist (John 11:16), but he was brave and true and faithful. And when, a week later, Jesus did grant his wish, he uttered the most direct human affirmation in the whole of the New Testament of who Jesus is: “My Lord and my God.” No doubt there.
You and I are among those whom Jesus called “blessed” because we have believed without
seeing. But sometimes it feels a bit of a struggle, and we long for a sign, some certainty. If that is how you are feeling now, bring your doubts into the open without shame or excuse. You may long for certainty but “dead certainty” brings brittle belief that tends to crumble at the first serious challenge. By contrast, honest doubt explored with integrity will lead us into a deeper faith that will stand the test of time. Can you say: “My Lord and my God”? That is more than enough!
Apply
Is there an area of your life with which you find it hard to trust God? Why? Is he really your Lord and God in this area?
Closing prayer
Take time today to lay your doubts before God and humbly ask him to help you see his truth shine through.
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