#DailyDevotion Thomas Gives An Example To Follow
Joh 20:24-31 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. (25) 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.” (26) 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.” (27) 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.” (28) Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” (29) Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (30) Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; (31) but these are written 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.
So Thomas often gets a bad rap. We often call him Doubting Thomas. But the other disciples were nothing but doubters too. They didn’t believe the women. They didn’t believe the disciples from Emmaus. But he gets a bad rap because John’s gospel put a focus on it. Perhaps we should ask the question why. After all, like all the disciples all we have is the reports like they did. But we do have one thing they don’t; the Holy Spirit had not come down upon the earth yet in the fashion at Pentecost with the work it was given to do at that point we live in an age where we have the Holy Spirit working on us.
The great thing about Thomas’ response is it is the response we should be thinking of if anyone comes and says they are the Christ. There are and have been many people who have come and are around today who say they are the Christ. There will be a culminating Anti-Christ who will claim he is the Christ. Our response to them should be Thomas’ response to his fellow disciples, “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.” No marks, no holes, you’re not my Jesus, the Christ, bud. The Scriptures say, Rev 1:7 “Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.” Jesus deigns to show Thomas his scars and Thomas recognizes Jesus.
“Shalom! Peace to you!” So says our Lord Jesus to his disciples again. “Ok Thomas, here’s your chance. Put your finger here and put your hand and my side. See it’s me!” Thomas recognizes that it is Jesus and that he is really raised from the dead. “My Lord and my God!” is Thomas reply. Note the Lord does not correct Thomas. He is Lord and he is God. Thomas gets that right. While Thomas, and well the disciples as well are admonished by Jesus for not believing the reports, he gives us this blessing, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” All we have is an empty tomb and the witness of the Apostles and five hundred other witnesses that Jesus rose from the dead. We have the Gospels which report all that Jesus has done. John says these were written so that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and by believing you would have life in his name.
John’s Gospel and by extension, the other Gospels and indeed even all of Scripture is written so that you may believe Jesus is the Christ and by believing possess eternal life. Unlike the apostles at that time, we have the Holy Spirit poured out on all flesh. By the power of the Holy Spirit through this word, God gives us the gift of faith, life and salvation. They all witness to Jesus’ resurrection. Believe that you too may have life eternal with Jesus.
O Merciful Holy Spirit, always give us your word, that we might hear and believe the good news of Jesus Christ, believe on him and receive the gift of eternal life. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.