John 20:25

New King James Version

The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.”

So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”

For Encouragement

Thomas walked diligently with the Lord and trusted His Messianic agenda, which was building up slowly with power, unparalleled knowledge, and wisdom. The miracles, healings, parables, teachings, even raising the dead—they were all revolutionary, very different, and refreshing. Rome would have no chance when the Master makes His last move. He will liberate Israel—freed from bondage to all foreign rule, as He establishes the everlasting Davidic kingdom. So, Thomas believed and gave himself to the cause of Jesus of Nazareth.

He was prepared to die for the cause (Jn. 11:15-16) and did not hide his ignorance about the destination the Lord spoke about in the Upper Room and received the response we celebrate as the most profound statement from Jesus about Himself (Jn. 14:5-6).

How, then, could Jesus die like a hardcore criminal? How could the liberation dream end in such resignation? Everything was a lie, Thomas thought, and he had finished with it. The story of the resurrection was ridiculous. Wrapped in that self-defensive position, the witness of his colleagues was insufficient to him. He had to see Jesus with all the wounds on His hands and feet and put his hand into His side to believe again (25). 

Thomas’ absolute trust in Jesus took him to that distrusting position. His dedicated service lifted him to a comfortable height of trust, but the events of Good Friday had shattered every certainty. Jesus has to appear to him in His physical body with all the wounds as evidence before he would believe again. Is that where your faith is today?

You have invested in Jesus from the time He called you and you followed with absolute trust. Now, however, He has disappointed you. How could He allow your spouse to lie and cheat on you? Where was His foreknowledge and ability to stop it? How about that rogue child, the distressing diagnosis, the financial crush, losing your job, and much more? You need physical evidence from Jesus to believe again.

What you are missing, dear believer, is that nothing you offered came from you (1 Cor. 4:7). God gave you faith to believe Jesus for salvation and dedicated life in Him (Eph. 2:8-10), including your ability to make wealth (Deut. 8:18). Your dedicated service? The talent and gifts are His, and the Holy Spirit enabled them for the purpose for which you used them (1 Cor. 12:7-11). Can you then lift them as a reason for your disappointment in Him and unbelief?

In any case, the Lord is not disappointed in you. Christ knows your frailties. He will not leave your faith to drown but will give you a Thomas occasion to restore your faith if He has to—a moment of amazement when you can declare, “My Lord and my God!” (Jn. 20:26-28).

But don’t wait for an experience before you believe (29). You open yourself to the enemy’s deception if you are not discerning. Instead, lift your eyes to Jesus and trust His unfailing love and faithfulness.    

Pray with Me

 Lord, we trust and believe in you, but sometimes, our human frailties sink us into despondency. At such low points, we need your able arm under our faith to lift us high above the clouds of unbelief. So, help our unbelief today in Christ. Amen!