Bible Characters Thomas

The Apostle Who Doubted

John 20:24–29 “Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 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.” 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!” 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.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.””

Scripture does not tell us much about Thomas in the early part of Jesus’ ministry. We know that he was from Galilee as where many of the others. They were fisherman, so it is likely that Thomas was also a fisherman. Extra Biblical writings suggest that he might have been a carpenter. One story that is pure speculation, suggests that a man from India approached Jesus with the request for a man trained as a carpenter. Jesus places him as a slave to the man from India after Jesus’ death. Jesus had told him to go to India and Thomas didn’t want to go so Jesus arranged for him to become a slave thus forcing him to go to India.

Thomas’s first interaction in scripture is found in John chapter 6. Jesus had been notified of the death of Lazarus and delayed going to Jerusalem. Some of the apostles cautioned Jesus that they might be in danger from the Jewish leaders who wanted to kill Jesus. They were probably sacred for their own lives as well. Thomas makes the bold statement. John 11:16 “Then Thomas (also known as Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.””

This verse uses the Greek name that is associated with Thomas, Didymus which means twin. We know nothing about his twin, even if male or female. Commentators disagree on how this verse should be interpreted; some say that it is a sign of resignation, lack of faith in Jesus and his desire to go to Lazarus. Other disciples tried to talk Jesus out of going. Another interpretation that I prefer is that it is a sign of faith and loyalty for Jesus and his willingness to follow Jesus. Jesus went to Jerusalem and visited Martha and Mary who both told him they believed Lazarus would not have died if Jesus had been there. Jesus showed that he was the Lord of life by raising Lazarus from the dead. All the people who were there and saw the miracle where amazed. Thomas was there, he saw that Jesus had power over life and death.

The next passage that we will consider is John 14:1–6 ““Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Jesus has just told his disciples that he was going to prepare a place for them and that he would return for them. Thomas says Lord we don't know where you are going so how can we know the way. Again we have controversy whether this is a lack of faith. I think that it was a legitimate question. Thomas spoke what I think most of the disciples were thinking but to afraid or cautious to ask. Better to be quiet and not reveal your ignorance that to speak up and reveal that you don’t understand. Jesus replied to the question with the the I Am statement that is one of the bedrock statements of our faith.

Now let us return to our text for this morning. Jesus has been crucified, his disciples have scattered, fearing for their lives. After his death they returned to the upper room where they had last been with Jesus. They were all together except for Thomas when Jesus appeared to them in the room even though the doors were closed. Jesus invited them to see and touch him to prove that he was alive. When the others told Thomas that they had seen the Lord. Thomas spoke the words for which he is most famous; unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my fingers where the nails were, and put my hand into his side , I will not believe.

A week later they were in the house and Thomas was with them. Jesus entered the room even though the doors were locked and stood among them. He told Thomas to put his finger in the nail holes, and his hand into his side. Stop doubting and believe. Thomas uttered the words that many others have spoken over the centuries when confronted by The risen Lord. “My Lord and my God.” Jesus responded because you have seen me you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.