How would you like for me to survey your entire life, pick one of your weakest moments, and choose to identify from that point on by that moment? I don’t think any of us would want this done to us, but it may precisely be what we have done with the apostle, Thomas. We are very familiar with the doubts that Thomas expressed in John 20 when he said that he needed to see the wounds in Jesus’ hands and side to believe he had resurrected. However, what we fail to consider is that Thomas was not the only unbelieving apostles. Jesus abraded all the apostles for their unbelief following his resurrection and had them all examine his wounds.

That being the case, why don’t we ever refer to doubting Peter or doubting John? Why just pick on Thomas. There was much more to Thomas than his moment of doubt. In fact, in John 11, when the other apostles were hesitant to follow Jesus, it was Thomas who boldly spoke up and encouraged the rest to follow Jesus to their deaths! No, there was much more to Thomas than his moment of doubt. He was more than a doubter, he was a hand selected, faithful apostle of Jesus Christ.

Next time you’re tempted to dismiss a co-worker, an acquaintance, or a fellow church member that you witnessed having a “bad moment,” be fair with them. Don’t measure their entire life by their one act of weakness. Give them the opportunity to redeem themselves. After all, doesn’t the “Golden Rule” demand such? (Matthew 7:12).

Steve Higginbotham