Doubting Thomas: John 20:25

Today’s verse refers to the encounter between the apostle Thomas and Jesus when Jesus appeared before the disciples in the upper room for a second time after His resurrection. Remember, Thomas had not been there on the first occasion and when told of Jesus’ appearance by the others, he would not believe it. Thomas responded to them saying, “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.” (verse 25)

We encounter Thomas as a person in John’s gospel, rather than just a name on the list of twelve apostles as in the synoptic gospels, Matthew, Mark, and Luke, He was the one who would boldly speak up for the group for clarification when they didn’t understand something. He was clearly a committed member of the group. In the 11th chapter of John’s gospel, we hear Thomas say to the others when Jesus finally starts out to Lazurus’ house in Judea where only a little while before the Jews had threatened to stone him. Thomas declared boldly, “Let us also go, that we may die with him,” verse 16.

But we can see that Thomas also struggled interiorly with uncertainties and questions. Remember, at the beginning of John’s chapter 14, when Jesus described his Father’s house with its many rooms and that he was going to prepare a place for them saying, “You know the way to the place where I am,” verse 4. It was Thomas who asked in his confusion, “Lord, we do not know where you are going, how do we know the way?” And Jesus replied, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (verse 6).

The Late Medieval monk, Thomas à Kempis, wrote of this phenomenon of doubt in his spiritual classic, The Imitation of Christ: “There will always be many who love Christ’s heavenly kingdom, but few who will bear his cross. Jesus has many who desire consolation, but few who care for adversity. He finds many to share his table, but few will join him in fasting. Many are eager to be happy with him; few wish to suffer anything for him. Many will follow him as far as the breaking of bread, but few will remain to drink from his passion. Many are awed by his miracles, few accept the shame of his cross…”

Though Thomas doubted, in the end, he would be listed among those who would go all the way in faith. He, along with the others, would be among the “few” who would, in faith, choose willingly to share in Christ’s passion. And because of that faith, he and the others would bring many to the Kingdom of God through their ministry, through their sufferings, and through their own martyrdoms.

Jesus’ appearance in the upper room a second time was not just for Thomas’ sake. It was for our sake today as well. What he says to Thomas was as important, true, and challenging to him as it is to us today. “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Listen! He is speaking to you and I here…today. Jesus told Peter that faith does not come from “flesh and blood”, but from “my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 16:17) Our faith arises, then, in and through a true relationship with God. When we accept that gift of faith willingly, it takes root in us and we begin to affirm it in our daily lives.

Jesus, we pray that you increase your generous gift of faith through your Holy Spirit. Strengthen us where we are weak so that we may actively live our faith for your good and for the good of others. In your name, Jesus, we pray. Amen!