Summary of passage: Thomas who was absent the first time Jesus appeared to the disciples refused to believe Jesus had risen unless he sees Jesus. So Jesus appears a week later in much the same manner when Thomas is present and he believes. However, Jesus commends those who believe without seeing.
Questions:
12) Part personal Question. My answer: He’s devoted to Jesus and follows him. His faith is weak though when Jesus is not around. He’s a skeptic but he questions honestly. He was authentic: he never pretended. If he didn’t understand something, he said so. If he felt discouraged, he acted like it. I’m very much like Thomas–open book. One who questions and doesn’t pretend “I’m good” when strangers ask when I’m not. Once Thomas sees, his faith is 100%–never to leave again. All in. That’s me too.
13) Jesus appearing before him. He acknowledged Jesus as his Lord and God–the only disciple to do so.
14) Personal Question. My answer: Truthfully, it hasn’t.
Conclusions: Another weak lesson despite the fact I like Thomas. Questioning leading to faith is the lesson here which should have been the focus of the questions instead of personalizing them.
End Notes: “Thomas” is Aramaic and “Didymus” is Greek for twin, which could have been an epithet. By not staying together as Jesus had said to do (John 15:17; 17:11), Thomas missed out on the first blessing of Jesus. Hence, this recorded exchange earned Thomas the nickname “Doubting Thomas”, which is unfair to what he’ll become. It wasn’t that he doubted; he refused to believe in the disciples’ testimony. Thomas is slammed for this but he could be in shock still or mourning. He was still with the disciples however.
Again, Jesus appears in the same way and says the same thing on the same day–a Sunday–evidence of the disciples gathering together on Sundays. The doors are locked still, indicating the disciples still haven’t quite internalized the resurrection of Jesus yet.
Jesus gave Thomas what he asked for (his physical presence and proof) out of mercy and kindness. He didn’t have to appear for Thomas’ sake but he did. For Thomas, the implication of a risen Jesus was too great to take someone else’s word for. Jesus orders him to stop doubting and have faith. Despite all the previous faith Thomas had, without faith in the resurrection none of it mattered. The same is for us. Doubt is okay to a certain extent. It moves us towards faith and deepens it.
Thomas quickly believes, calling Jesus Lord and God, titles Jesus does not refuse. He calls Jesus my Lord and my God–titles of deity. He also is not half-way in. He’s all out (100% doubting) or all in (100% belief). This is the high point of faith.
Fun Fact: Thomas in fact is the only disciple that is recorded who directly addresses Jesus as God.
Scholars are divided on whether or not Thomas actually touched Jesus’ wounds. Because Jesus points out only that Thomas has seen him that strengthens his faith, most say Thomas didn’t actually touch Jesus. However, sight could have been what had convinced Thomas and not the physical touching.
Ironically, Jesus says those who believe without seeing are the blessed ones–that would be us! Those who are satisfied with God’s gifts and not yearning for more. This is another beatitude from Jesus to us. If we demand a voice, a vision, or answers, our faith is diminished.
Some scholars say Thomas’ belief is the climax of the book of John. Here, Jesus has conquered unbelief–more important than the miracle of sight or sorrow or sin.
Thomas’ questions led to faith because he expressed them sincerely and looked for answers. We last see Thomas in the Bible in Acts 1:12-14 praying, waiting with the other disciples for the Holy Spirit to come.
Tradition has it Thomas went to Parthia and India to spread the Gospel. Present-day Christians of St. Thomas of India claim spiritual descent from him and a place near Madras is called St. Thomas’s Mount.
John sums up this chapter with the whole point of the Gospels–the show the truth of Jesus’ Messiahship and to present him as the Son of God so that readers may believe in him– and to bring about faith that leads to life.
