The story of Doubting Thomas found in John 20:24-29 is a powerful post-resurrection account that teaches us several important lessons. The story of Thomas is like our own personal story.
What lessons can we learn from this story?
First, Jesus welcomes our doubts.
It is okay to have doubts. The Bible is full of stories of people who expressed their doubts but God welcomed them. God wants us to have a conversation with Him.
Thomas struggled to believe that Jesus had risen from the dead until he saw and touched the wounds of Jesus. This shows that doubts and questions are a natural part of our human experience. We may have doubts about God’s existence, His love for us, or His plans for our lives.
The story of Doubting Thomas teaches us that it is okay to express our doubts because Jesus is patient with us as we seek answers.
Jesus is waiting patiently for us to believe.
Jesus had all the rights to be angry with Thomas. They were together for many years. He could have said, “Shame on you! We were together for many years yet you do not believe.”
But when Jesus appeared to them, he still said, “Peace be with you. Put your finger here and do not be faithless anymore. Believe!”
Let us believe and be true to the pronouncement of Jesus, “Blessed are those who believe without seeing me. Do we still doubt?”
Second, Jesus meets us wherever we are.
When Thomas expressed his doubts and desire to see the wounds, Jesus did not condemn or reject him. Instead, Jesus appeared to Thomas and allowed him to touch His wounds. This shows us that Jesus meets us where we are, even in our doubts and struggles. He understands our weaknesses and wants to help us overcome them.
This tells us that we do not need to have everything figured out or have all the answers before we come to Jesus. He is always ready to meet us where we are and help us grow in our faith in Him.
Third, we need to declare that Jesus is our Lord and God.
When Thomas saw Jesus and touched His wounds, he exclaimed, “My Lord and my God!” This was a powerful declaration of faith.
Our faith requires action on our part. We need to declare that Jesus is our Lord and God. This means that we obey the commands of Jesus and turn over everything to Him.
Let us be ready to humble ourselves, admit our mistakes and declare that Jesus is our Lord and our God.
Thomas proved his faith in Jesus Christ. When the disciples and Christians were later on persecuted as testified in the Book of Acts, Thomas went to India.
He preached the Gospel of Salvation in Jesus Chris in that area and eventually started a church in52 AD. This tells us that after 20 years that Jesus has ascended into heaven, there is already a Christian church in India.
The St. Thomas Church in North Paravur, India still stands, and has produced many daughter churches up to the present. Thomas died in India when he was speared by pagans. But his life is a testimony that doubt can turn into faith.
The story of Doubting Thomas teaches us that doubts are normal, Jesus meets us where we are, and we need to declare that Jesus is our Lord and God. When we understand these lessons, we can grow in our faith and deepen our relationship with Jesus.
The life of Thomas shows to us that a life full of doubts and failing faith can transform into a life full of faith and accountability.
The name Thomas in Aramaic means twin. In Greek, he is called as Dydimus, the twin also. This tells us that we are the twin of Thomas when we doubt Jesus. But Jesus is there, patiently waiting for us to come back to him.
Jesus is saying to us – Do not be faithless anymore! Believe! – NWI
