Doubting Thomas Believes

Lesson #332

We left Thomas saying to the other 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.” But then, “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.”” (John 20:26 ESV).

Eight days later is the way Jews spoke of a week; like counting from Sunday to Sunday, starting with Sunday as one. Jesus appeared to Mary and then to the ten disciples on Sunday and then one week later, on Sunday, Jesus appeared to the eleven as Thomas was with them this time. Why was Thomas among them? Maybe the ten who believed felt it was important to meet on Sunday and maybe they believed Jesus might appear again, so maybe they persuaded Thomas to join then that day.

As before, the disciples were in a room behind locked doors for fear of the Jews as well as privacy for their time of conversation and possible devotion. Jesus promised that “. . . where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them” (Matthew 18:20 ESV). The disciples were together and Jesus appeared in their midst physically because he had not yet ascended to his Father. When we come together, Jesus is in our midst in the Spirit.

Gathered together in that room were ten believers and one of unbelief with set conditions to be met before he would believe. Jesus was willing to appear with Thomas there and meet his conditions. We might be surprised how many people have barriers set up that God has to overcome to reach his loss sheep. As before, Jesus simple appeared and said, “Peace be with you.”

It is now time for Jesus to deal with doubting Thomas. “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.” (John 20:27 ESV). This appearance of Jesus was primarily for the sake of Thomas. Jesus knew the conditions of belief Thomas had set up and he now addresses them. He instructs Thomas to do exactly what Thomas had required and as a result the impact would be immediate and powerful. “Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28 ESV). Without examining his hands and side, Thomas stood there, ashamed of his unbelief, he now responds in belief, referring to Jesus as his Lord and his God. Thomas did not doubt now that Jesus had risen from the dead, just as he said he would.

“Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29 ESV). Thomas believed because he physically saw Jesus. Paul encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus and many in the middle east are encountering Jesus in dreams and visions, but most will come to belief upon hearing the gospel. Jesus says, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Prayer

Father, if there are readers of this Bible study, like Thomas, who have conditions that need to be met before they would believe, I pray that they would ask the Lord to show them what they need to see or hear to believe. Father, for those who believe, I pray that these studies are found to be helpful in learning more about Jesus and growing spiritually. Thank you for teaching me as I study and write and that I can share these studies with people found in many different places and many different conditions around the world. Father, I pray for any needs they have at this time.