I wonder how the disciples felt about being chosen by Jesus to accompany Him throughout His three years of ministry. We can read about their reactions to various situations that occurred during those years—fear, disappointment, anger, jealousy, and disbelief. They argued among themselves about their place in Jesus’ kingdom, who would be allowed to approach Jesus, and who would go purchase food. They often misunderstood Jesus’ teachings and the purpose of His parables and miracles. They slept when they should have watched for His enemies, and they ran when He needed them most.
Several of the disciples are known for specific things. Peter is known for his impetuousness. Judas is known for betraying Jesus. Peter, Andrew, James, and John are known for being fishermen; and Matthew is known as being a tax collector. The other disciples are less known for specific things, with the exception of Thomas. Thomas is remembered as the disciple that doubted.
After Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, He appeared to ten of the disciples. Judas, of course, was dead; and Thomas was not present. Jesus showed the ten His hands where the nails had been and His side where the soldier had put his sword. There is no account of their reaction, but the effect of seeing these wounds would have certainly solidified Jesus’ identity.
When the ten disciples told Thomas about this encounter, his response was one of doubt. He said, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe” (John 20:25 ESV). Eight days later, Jesus appeared again to the disciples. This time Thomas was with them. Jesus immediately got to the point with Thomas. He offered His hands and His side for examination. “Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’” (John 20:28).
As we look at Thomas’ doubting, let’s look first at what we know about him. We know he was a disciple according to Matthew 10:3. We know he was a twin according to John 20:24. We know, according to John 20, that Thomas had to have proof that Jesus was alive. What we know does not indicate that he was a failure as a disciple or a friend to Jesus. He simply wanted proof; he wanted to see with his own eyes.
It is interesting to note that Thomas was not the only one that doubted. In the first part of John 20, Mary Magdalene spoke with the two angels at Jesus’ tomb and told them someone had taken the body of Jesus from the tomb. At this point, she didn’t associate Jesus’ promise to rise from the dead with the empty tomb. She saw the Lord (verse 16), and only then did she believe He was alive. Mary went to tell the disciples. Jesus then appeared to the disciples and showed them His hands and side. Why do you suppose He did that? I suggest that maybe they doubted as well.
There is more to Thomas than what we read in John 20. In John 11, we read the account of Jesus’ preparation to go to Judea when He received word that His friend, Lazarus, was ill. The disciples didn’t want Him to go because the Jews were looking to stone Him. Jesus expressed a compelling need to make the journey because He knew Lazarus had died. This is what Jesus said. “…Lazarus has died, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him” (John 11:14-15). Did you notice what He said? He was glad He wasn’t there when it happened so the events that would come to pass would help them believe. They doubted too! It is interesting that Thomas was the one that said that they should all go with Jesus (verse 16). He was the one that said they should be willing to die with Him.
Thomas is often referred to as “Doubting Thomas” referencing his refusal to believe without seeing for himself. All the disciples doubted at times throughout Jesus’ ministry. Sometimes it was simply a lack of understanding; other times it was because the situation just seemed impossible to them.
Do we ever doubt? Do we become discouraged? Do we ever question why God answers our prayers the way He does, or do we sometimes think God doesn’t answer us? We are no different than Thomas and the other disciples. We doubt because we don’t understand, don’t have enough information, or don’t have the faith we should have.
History has given Thomas a label that Jesus did not give him. His discipleship was not taken from him because he wanted proof that Jesus was alive. He was not excluded from the events that followed, including the establishment of the church in Acts 2. The Lord surely understood Thomas’ need to see His hands and side just as the other disciples saw. Maybe, just maybe, we have stigmatized him unjustly.
Sandra Oliver