Thursday, April 13, 2023
Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” John 20:24-25
When Doubts Blind Us
Jesus had risen from the grave and the disciples were together, tucked away behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jews. They had stayed together in the days since Jesus had been crucified and they did not know He had risen from the dead. So far He had only appeared to Mary Magdalene, who was weeping outside the tomb. She had looked in and seen that His body was gone. There were two angels, one at the head and the other at the feet where Jesus’ body had been. They asked her why she was crying, and she said because they had taken her Lord away and she did not know where He was now. But she turned around to see Jesus standing there with her.
Next, Jesus appears in the midst of the disciples in their locked room. He begins with “Peace be with you.” Then showing them His hands and side, they realized that it was Jesus and they were glad. Thomas was not there and when the others told him about seeing Jesus, he did not believe them. He said “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”
Eight days later, Jesus shows up again where they are and this time, Thomas was there. Jesus once again said “Peace be with you.” Then turning to Peter, he told him to look at His hands, put his finger where the nail had left a hole, and to place his hand in His side. Thomas knew immediately that it truly was Jesus. He believed because he saw Him with his own eyes. Jesus said, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
We don’t have the privilege of watching Jesus perform miracles and minister to people the way the disciples did. But we do witness His miracles and feel His ministry around us every day. How must Thomas have felt when Jesus repeated back to him the very thing he told the other disciples he would have to see to believe? Jesus gave Thomas exactly what he said he needed to believe. He already knew about his doubts and unbelief. But because He is a Savior who is full of kindness and compassion and mercy, He gave Thomas what he asked for. It was a lesson for Thomas but cloaked in love and gentleness from his Savior.
It is so easy to doubt the goodness of God when we are in the middle of dark circumstances. We long for some proof - just a glimpse of the nail-scarred hands and pierced side - so we can believe that He is there, and He loves us and He sees us. This doubt is not where we want to stay. We all end up there sometimes because we are human. But as disciples, we need to remind ourselves of the faithfulness and goodness of our sovereign God, who loves us, cares about us, and never leaves us nor forsakes us, even in the darkest of times when He feels so far away. He is in the midst of our circumstances just as He was in the midst of the disciples that day, right by our side, bringing us peace. Don't let your doubts keep you from realizing that Jesus is in your presence.
Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:26-28
