“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 it.’”
John 20:25
Thomas hadn’t been present when Jesus appeared to the others. Who can blame him for saying he would believe it only when he saw it? There simply was no grid for processing this notion that the beaten and bloodied, embalmed and entombed Jesus was now alive and well. You and I would have had a hard time with it, too.
Thomas and the others gathered a week later in the same Upper Room as before. Jesus once again appeared, again the locked doors no barrier for the Son of God. Knowing Thomas’ doubts, Jesus showed him His scars. “Stop doubting and believe,” He told him (v. 27). Jesus didn’t chastise Thomas or berate him. He lovingly simply provided the proof Thomas needed. And Thomas’ “My Lord and my God!” response was immediate, heartfelt, and devoid of even a shred of doubt.
The man we thought of as a skeptic gave us this most profound confession. We see along with Thomas that the answer to our doubts is not a set of principles and rules to be kept fastidiously. Rather, it is the sight of a Person, Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Thomas and the others gathered a week later in the same Upper Room as before. Jesus once again appeared, again the locked doors no barrier for the Son of God. Knowing Thomas’ doubts, Jesus showed him His scars. “Stop doubting and believe,” He told him (v. 27). Jesus didn’t chastise Thomas or berate him. He lovingly simply provided the proof Thomas needed. And Thomas’ “My Lord and my God!” response was immediate, heartfelt, and devoid of even a shred of doubt.
The man we thought of as a skeptic gave us this most profound confession. We see along with Thomas that the answer to our doubts is not a set of principles and rules to be kept fastidiously. Rather, it is the sight of a Person, Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Scripture Focus
John 20:24-31
Insight
“The wounds are the infallible witness of the gospel of Christ.” (Charles H. Spurgeon, 1877)
Bible In A Year
- Numbers 33-34
- Psalm 78
- John 20
