Thomas teaches men that doubt isn’t the opposite of faith; disbelief is. “Doubting Thomas” wanted evidence before he would believe that Jesus rose from the dead. Jesus didn’t shame him. He showed Thomas his wounds and invited him to believe. Jesus isn’t afraid of honest questions, but he does call each of us to respond with personal faith.
Everyone Has Doubts
Thomas wasn’t with the other disciples the first time the risen Jesus appeared. When they told him, he wasn’t convinced.
John 20:25 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.”
Thomas had watched Jesus die. Resurrection claims were extraordinary, and he wanted extraordinary evidence. Many men can relate. You may have questions about the Bible, suffering, science, or whether God is real. The opposite of faith isn’t doubt. It’s disbelief, a settled refusal to trust God no matter what the evidence shows. Doubt is often a step on the way to a stronger faith.
Jesus Isn’t Afraid of Skepticism
A week later, Jesus appeared again, and this time Thomas was there.
John 20:26-27 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!” 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.”
Jesus didn’t scold Thomas for wanting proof. He offered exactly the evidence Thomas asked for. Christianity isn’t a blind leap. It’s rooted in real historical events, especially the resurrection. Peter told believers to always be ready to explain the reasons for their hope.
1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.
It’s okay to investigate the claims of Christianity. In fact, it’s healthy. We won’t have every question answered in this life, but we can have a reasonable faith. (See our resources on apologetics.)
The Right Response Is Personal Faith
John 20:28-29 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Thomas went from skeptic to one of the boldest declarations in the Bible: “My Lord and my God!” Evidence brought him to the point of decision, but he still had to choose to trust Jesus. The same is true for us. Reason can point us to Jesus, but only you can decide to trust him for salvation. Church tradition says Thomas carried the gospel as far as India. Honest questions, answered by Jesus, can produce a lifetime of courageous faith. Next, we’ll look at a man who pressed on to the very end: Paul.
The Takeaway
Doubt isn’t the enemy of faith; disbelief is. Jesus welcomes honest questions and meets us with real evidence. But once we see the truth, the right response is personal faith: “My Lord and my God.”
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