From Doubt to Devotion

Introduction

Good morning! For those of you that don’t know me, I’m Cody. I’m one of the leaders here at Anthem and sometimes have the privilege of preaching. Today, we’re diving into a familiar yet powerful passage—the story of Thomas.

Not much is really known about Thomas, other than the names by which he is called both affectionately and derogatively. He is called Didymus, which I went on a long tangent trying to understand why.

Didymus mean twin. I kept asking is it because he is a twin or looks like one of the other apostles. Come to find out, it is most likely a nickname because Thomas is Ta’om in Hebrew and Ta’oma in Aramaic which both mean twin.

However, to most of us with background in knowing Thomas’ story, we know him has “Doubting Thomas.” Imagine being one of the twelve disciples and the only significant story recorded in Scripture about you is one of your weakest moments. But I want to invite you to look at his story not with judgment, but with empathy. His journey mirrors many of ours—a story of unmet expectations, a fight for belief, and ultimately, a walk of faith grounded in the memory of what Jesus has done.

Bible Passage: John 20:24–31

1. Unmet Expectations Can Produce Self-Preservation

John 20:24–25

24 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.”

Let’s begin with Thomas. He wasn’t there when Jesus first appeared to the disciples after the resurrection. We don’t know why. Maybe he was grieving. Maybe he needed time alone. Maybe he was disillusioned. The man he had followed for three years—the one he believed would restore the kingdom—had died.

Can you relate? Have you ever believed God was going to move in a certain way and then… He didn’t? Have you ever had expectations of healing, provision, or breakthrough, only to be met with silence—or worse, suffering?

Thomas’ refusal to believe wasn’t just skepticism—it was self-preservation.

“Unless I see… I will not believe.” It wasn’t that he couldn’t believe. It’s that he wouldn’t. That’s a heart that’s been hurt before. He didn’t want to be let down again. He didn’t want to hope, only to be crushed.

So, where are you? Are there areas in your life where you have unmet expectations? Are there relationships that you thought would be different? Has marriage lived up to your expectations? Children? Work?

Unmet expectations often drive us inward. We build walls. We protect ourselves. We start saying things like, “I’ll go to church, but I won’t expect too much. I’ll pray, but not really believe.” We distance ourselves from hope because hope hurts when it’s disappointed.

But here’s the beauty: Jesus comes anyway.

Even in your locked room, in your fear, in your guarded doubt—He shows up.

2. Obedience in the Face of Unbelief Is a Walk in Faith

John 20:26–28

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!”

Look again at verse 26: it says, “A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them.” Don’t miss that.

Thomas showed up. He didn’t believe—but he showed up. He was still processing—but he stayed close to the community. He was unsure—but he was present.

And that is obedience. Obedience isn’t always flashy. It’s not always emotionally charged. Sometimes, it’s just showing up when you’d rather run away.

Thomas’ willingness to stay with the disciples put him in the right place for a divine encounter. Jesus appears and doesn’t scold him. He invites him.

“Put your finger here… Stop doubting and believe.”

Thomas is not condemned—he is called. He is not rejected—he is restored. Obedience, even in unbelief, positions us for revelation.

What if the greatest step of faith you take today is simply refusing to withdraw?

If you’re in a season where faith feels hard, where doubt seems louder than belief, let me say this:

Keep showing up.

Keep praying.

Keep opening your Bible.

Keep worshiping—even if your hands feel heavy.

Because when we walk in obedience despite our unbelief, we walk in faith.

3. The Christian Walk Is a Constant Reminder of What Jesus Has Done in Your Life

John 20:29–31

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.

Thomas sees Jesus. He touches the wounds. And he says,

“My Lord and my God!”

This is the climax of the Gospel of John. Thomas makes the boldest declaration of Jesus’ identity—not just a teacher, not just a prophet, but GOD.

The man who doubted ends up proclaiming the very heart of the Gospel.

What changed?

He encountered the resurrected Christ—and it marked him forever.

Church tradition tells us that Thomas went on to preach the Gospel all the way to India, where he was martyred. The doubter became a missionary. The skeptic became a witness. And every step he took after that moment was a reminder:

“He showed me His wounds.”

“He didn’t give up on me.”

“He loved me through my doubt.”

That’s what the Christian walk is: a constant remembering.

You may not see the physical wounds of Christ, but you’ve seen His work in your life. You’ve seen Him restore your heart. You’ve seen Him meet you in depression, in addiction, in grief. You’ve seen prayers answered, doors opened, chains broken.

When the enemy tempts you to doubt, remind yourself of what Jesus has already done.

Jesus says in verse 29, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

That’s you.

That’s me.

We haven’t seen His hands and side—but we’ve seen the fruit of resurrection power in our lives. And our faith is not blind—it’s built on evidence.

Evidence of grace.

Evidence of healing.

Evidence of mercy.

Conclusion

So where are you today?

Are you, like Thomas, nursing disappointment? Guarding your heart from another letdown? Jesus is stepping into your locked room right now and saying, “Peace be with you.”

Maybe you’re in a season where faith is hard— but you’re still here. You’re still listening. Still pressing in. That’s faith.

Or maybe you’ve seen Jesus move in your life, and you need to remember. Remind yourself of what He’s done. Let your testimony fuel your worship.

Thomas started in doubt but ended in declaration. And so can you.

Prayer

“Jesus, thank You that You meet us in our doubts. Thank You that You don’t turn away from our questions or our hurts. Lord, help us to walk in faith, even when we don’t feel it. Help us to remember all that You’ve done for us. Strengthen those who are discouraged today, and breathe fresh life into weary hearts. Let us echo Thomas’ words—not in doubt, but in awe: ‘My Lord and my God, Amen.”