UNCOMMEN: DoubtSample

The Doubting Leader

John 20: 25-29

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.”

I have a soft spot in my heart for Thomas as he gets a bit of a bad wrap for this story. Poor guy even has the nickname of “Doubting Thomas” forever attached to his name. True, Thomas was there to glorify Jesus as an example of those who believe who never get the chance to see for themselves. Let the record also show that he was called by Jesus to be one of the twelve and was killed taking the Gospel east and into India. People rarely think of that Thomas but rather the doubter. I would say we have all been Thomas at one point in our lives.

Being a realist at heart, I think I would have been very much like Thomas in that situation. The movement is so new; you may not understand what is going on; you have to depend upon others to relay an essential part of the story. We have the Bible as a reference, and there are times we are still like Thomas. Most of us won’t have a “Jesus” moment like Thomas did. We are going to have to believe Jesus at His word. That’s why Jesus said, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” I’m thankful for Thomas for being the example of doubt, but I thank Jesus more for His patience with all of us Thomas’ still out there. 

Lesson: 

Everyone (including you) may be in the same place as Thomas was at the beginning of these verses (25). But praise God the story didn’t stop there as Jesus said to Thomas, “Do not disbelieve but believe.” When you run across someone having their Thomas moment, encourage them to keep going and have the next Thomas moment.

Uncommen Challenge: 

Have you stopped at verse 25? Notice Jesus did not condemn Thomas, but instead invited him to fulfill his need to believe. What do you need to believe in Christ Jesus today?