Thomas is best known for having doubting tendencies, but this disciple of Jesus – named Didymus – was capable of demonstrating courage and resolve, too.
When Jesus’ friend, Lazarus, died, Jesus set out for Bethany, near Jerusalem – not to pay His last respects, but to raise Lazarus from the dead! But, doing so meant walking directly into the enemies’ lair. The disciples were aware of the danger. Jesus had already alluded to His death (John 10:15), so the disciples had their ears perked for any possible threat. They were not blind to the growing opposition of the religious leaders. They knew Bethany was risky. Yet, Thomas was the only one who spoke in favor of Jesus’ plan, saying if their Master was going to die, the rest of them might as well die with Him.
Thomas was the one who asked a further question after Jesus spoke of the place God is preparing for His believers. Jesus had just said, where He would go, these – and others – could follow. Thomas said, “But we don’t know where You are going; so, how can we know the way there?” Jesus answered, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.”
But, most people remember Thomas’ display of doubt concerning the resurrection of Jesus. Thomas had been away from the rest of the apostles when Jesus appeared to them 10 other apostles in the upper room. When he arrived later – and heard the news from the apostles (his closest friends) – he refused to believe it.
The rest of the apostles were obviously excited; chattering with one another about what – Who! – they had seen. And Thomas listened. But, he was still unconvinced… and voiced his doubts. And that moment of honest questioning tagged him with the label “Doubting Thomas”; not by those apostles present, but by history since.
It must have been a miserable week for Thomas… until Jesus appeared to the apostles again – this time including Thomas – in that same upper room the next Sunday night. Jesus suddenly appeared, and looked at Thomas; not with condemnation, but love: “Stop doubting and believe”. Whatever uncertainty there was turned to immediate and total trust: “My Lord and my God!”
It’s easy to judge Thomas harshly; he is known throughout history as “Doubting Thomas” (as though none of the other apostles – or any Christian since, for that matter – ever doubted). But, Thomas was not condemned by Jesus… nor was his belief rejected. Jesus used that occasion to encourage Thomas… and also to bless those from that point on who would have faith without having seen with their own eyes.
LifeAPP:
Temporary, occasional doubts are normal in the Christian life. They can even be a good thing if they motivate us to search harder for God… and get to know Him better. It is only when we stay in our unbelief – or are too timid to dig deeper – that we displease God.
If you are struggling with doubts today, ask God to give you a fresh look at Jesus. And, when He does, stop doubting and believe!
Thomas would be present with the other apostles at Jesus’ ascension… and, I assume, he was with them from that second Sunday night on. Tradition says Thomas took the gospel to other places, outside of Galilee, as far as India. And most of his time seems to have been spent in Parthia, which included parts of modern-day Turkey, Iraq, and Iran. He is said to have died in Edessa, in modern-day Turkey. Tradition says the cause of his death was 4 spears thrust into him by local soldiers in Edessa.
You can read the story of Thomas in John 11:16; 14:5; 20:24-29; Acts 1:13.
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