DOUBTING THOMAS? By Paul Tuck
John 20:24-29
24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 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.” 26 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!”27 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.” 28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
I have never really understood why we are so quick to coin the phrase “Doubting Thomas” when the Scriptures clearly portray all of the disciples as having doubts about Jesus at some point. Also, it’s the only real time Thomas demonstrated a lack of faith… but don’t you know that people don’t remember all your successes… they always remember the ONE TIME you screwed up.
As I read that passage, I am of the opinion that Thomas’ doubt was not such a horrible thing. Jesus didn’t yell or scream at him, but calmly invited Thomas to satisfy his curiosity and put an end to his doubt.
When you think about it… doubts can be helpful.
I.e. If you get a call from a scammer claiming to be the CRA and they will put you in jail if you don’t send money immediately… you are good to have some doubts!
I.e. Self doubts can cause us to evaluate weaknesses and make improvements
>Thomas Edison: “I haven’t failed, I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
I suppose that doubt only becomes a bad thing when we react badly to it.
REFLECTION QUESTION:
What is your way of handling doubts you may have about yourself?
(or perhaps quickly share an instance of how you overcame some doubts)
CLOSING REMARK: Thomas obviously worked out his doubt because he travelled all the way to India and was martyred for his faith around 70 A.D. Doesn’t sound like he really deserves the title “Doubting Thomas” now, does it?