He had one weak moment: 25So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "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 it." (John 20:25).
Recently, I really related to Thomas. I was doubting.
Have you ever wanted proof? Evidence? A visible sign?
I know I was really craving it. I needed to see the nail marks.
Fortunately, they appeared.
Friend after friend shared with me precisely what I needed to hear. Devotions spoke directly to my situation. My pastor's sermon seemed as though it had to have been written specifically for me and my doubt. Mentors linked me to unbelievably appropriate sites or documents that answered my questions; One guy even sent me a document defending Paul written by a female Baptist preacher who is also a professor and a feminist!?!
Yes, I was seeing the nail marks. My doubts were fading. My faith was strengthening.
That is why I could connect with the story of Thomas.
Doubting Thomas got a bad rap.
It has been cemented into society's mind through the stereotype of a "doubting Thomas" and through art, even through music.
One of my favorite songs is called "Doubting Thomas" by Nickel Creek.
The lyrics are so great and, with my recent struggles in Women and Religion, one line especially resonated with me:
Can I be used to help others find truth, (particularly leading a Bible study!)This was precisely my concern: I was afraid that I would learn my way out of my religion.
When I'm scared I'll find proof that its a lie
But, the opposite has happened.
Just. Like. Thomas.
26A week later his [Jesus'] disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" 27Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."
28Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:26-28)According to Dr. Ralph Wilson, "Thomas, 'Doubting Thomas,' as he is sometimes called, is the first disciple to put into words the truth that Jesus is both Lord and God.
"'Doubting Thomas' utters the greatest confession of faith recorded anywhere in the Bible."
How awesome and encouraging is that?
Again, Doubting Thomas got a bad rap.
Something else I find encouraging is NOT written in the Bible. Yep. It isn't written in there.
But society has written it in there - An extra verse that doesn't actually exist.
If you look at the art and talk to people (believers and nonbelievers) they will likely tell you that Thomas touched the nail marks.
That, however, is NOT written in the Bible.
The Bible goes straight from verse 27 where Jesus tells Thomas to "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe" into verse 28 where Thomas declares his belief: "My Lord and my God!"
No verse 27.5 exists saying that Thomas touched the nail marks.
Maybe he did, maybe he didn't.
Either way, we cannot. I cannot.
As a result, I choose to believe that Thomas did not. Then, just like him, we can sense the presence of Jesus moving among us and then proclaim our faith... even if we can't reach out and touch the nail marks.
Verse 29 further clarifies that faith is possible without having the exact proof or evidence or nail marks to touch: 29Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."(John 20:29)
That is how Jesus ends it: he acknowledges that Thomas has believed.
Why don't we acknowledge that?
Doubting Thomas got a bad rap.
We should look up to him - especially in our time of doubting and questioning - as the one who strengthened his faith and became Believing Thomas.
You played that song for the Bible study group during the time I was doubting from feminism and religion I think. It spoke to me then and continues to speak to me now. I'm glad you are finding encouragement in all the right places. Love ya and praying for you!
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