Thomas Sees Jesus and Believes
March 7, 2020
Commentary
Thomas had not been with the other disciples when Jesus appeared unto them in His resurrected body (v. 24). When they tried to tell him the news of the resurrection, Thomas refused to believe it until he had actually touched the hands, feet, and side of the Savior (v. 25). One week later, Jesus provided the opportunity Thomas wanted as He again entered a room with locked doors and invited Thomas to touch Him (vv. 26-27). Thomas responds by saying, “My Lord and My God!" He based his faith on sight (v. 28). Christ said, “The people who have faith in me without seeing me are the ones who are really blessed” (v. 29). He then promises a special blessing for those who do not have to see but believe just by hearing (vv. 30-31).
Doubt is often an intellectual problem. We want to believe, but our faith is shattered by problems and questions. We cannot fault Thomas for wanting a personal experience, but we can condemn him for laying down conditions for the Lord to meet. It may sound intellectual to question what Jesus did, but such questions are usually evidence of hard hearts. It is not necessary to “see” Jesus Christ in order to believe. Jesus did not rebuke Thomas for his doubts. He rebuked him for his unbelief. Unbelief is a definite spiritual problem.
John’s purpose for writing this book is clearly presented in the last two verses of this chapter. Jesus had worked many other miracles for his disciples, and not all of them are written in this book (v. 30). However, these are written so that you will put your faith in Jesus as the Messiah and the Son of God (v. 31). If you have faith in him, you will have true life.
Application
In my own spiritual walk, I need to make sure that I am not struggling with spiritual doubts. Doubting the Lord in any area of my spiritual walk will hinder me from being all that He wants me to be. Lord, help me to not be a doubting Thomas!
John 20:24– 31 (NET)
24 Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “Unless I see the wounds from the nails in his hands, and put my finger into the wounds from the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will never believe it!”
26 Eight days later the disciples were again together in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although 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, and examine my hands. Extend your hand and put it into my side. Do not continue in your unbelief, but believe.” 28 Thomas replied to him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are the people who have not seen and yet have believed.”
30 Now Jesus performed many other miraculous signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are recorded so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Illustration: Lord Halifax’s Train Ride
Lord Halifax, a former foreign secretary of Great Britain, once shared a railway compartment with two prim-looking spinsters. A few moments before reaching his destination, the train passed through a tunnel. In the utter darkness Halifax kissed the back of his hand noisily several times. When the train drew into the station, he rose, lifted his hat, and in a gentlemanly way said; “May I thank whichever one of you two ladies I am indebted to for the charming incident in the tunnel?” He then beat a hasty retreat, leaving the two ladies glaring at each other. (Bits & Pieces, May 27, 1993, p. 22).