One of the twelve disciples, Thomas is best known for his inability to believe Christ had risen from the dead. This inability earned him the nickname “Doubting” Thomas. He wasn’t there when Jesus first presented himself to the other disciples, therefore, in John 20:25, he said “Unless I see the nail holes in his hands and can place my finger into the wound in his side I will not believe.”
While it was true that Thomas was a doubter, his doubts had a purpose. He didn’t live a life of doubt. Thomas simply wanted to know the truth. So when Jesus appeared to the disciples eight days after his first meeting with them, with Thomas present this time, Jesus invited the disciple to come see and feel for himself. Once Thomas had done what he had wished to do, he cried out in a loud voice, “My Lord & my God!” Of that incident Augustine remarked, “He doubted that we might believe.” [1]
Thomas always seemed to have the pertinent question, such as when Jesus told his disciples he was going to prepare a place for them, Thomas spoke up asking the burning question in John 14:5, “Lord, we do not know where you are going, and how can we know the way?” Jesus response was succinct, “I am the way, the truth and the Life”. (John 14:6)
After Christ’s resurrection, Thomas was on the Sea of Galilee with six other disciples when Jesus signaled to them from the shore and also in the Upper Room after the Lord’s ascension. According to tradition, Thomas shared the gospel in Parthia and Persia. Later tradition places Thomas in India, where he was martyred. The Mar Thomas church in India traces its origin back to Thomas.
We can doubt without living a doubting way of life. Doubt brings about the rethinking of a subject. Verbalizing your doubts can be helpful, silence in the midst of doubt rarely finds answers.
This ends our look at the Gospel of John. Up next we dive into The Book of the Acts of the Apostles or just simply The Book of Acts. Until then, walk with the King and be a blessing.
In His Name & for His Glory,
Richard Keller
Bread of Life Ministries
Resource: The Life Application Study Bible
[1] TLASB; p.2349
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