◄ What Does John 20:28 Mean? ►

The development of the disciple's faith in Jesus as their God and their Saviour, can be traced from the time of John the Baptist to the final chapters of John's apocalypse. For the three years of Christ's own ministry, we see evidence of little seeds of faith taking root, growing, and blossoming into a firm foundation of unshakable faith.

It was revealed to Peter, that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God... and the content of John's Gospel was written so that we may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing on Him we might have life in His name.

Thomas, who was called Didymus - which means twin, was chosen by Christ to be one of His 12 apostles. He was a zealous disciple who demonstrated a fearless attitude. When Christ set His face as a flint to go to Jerusalem to face the unbelieving Jews who desired to kill Him, Thomas boldly cried, "Let us also go to Jerusalem, with Him - so that we may die with Jesus!"

Thomas was also a deep thinker who paid heed to Christ's words of wisdom, but he did not always understand the depth of meaning behind Christ's discourses. "Lord, we do not know where You are going," was his quick complaint when Jesus revealed that He was soon to leave them and return to His Father in heaven, "so how can we know the way?" was his earnest query.

But it was his reliance on the logic of man, and his inability to see truth beyond his physical senses, that caused him to become labelled with the uncomplimentary title, 'doubting Thomas', for he would not accept the multiple eyewitness accounts of Christ's Resurrection because he himself, had not seen His resurrected Lord with his own eyes, nor had he touched the risen Saviour with his own hands - and so he made the astonishing claim, "unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe."

We can only imagine the depth of sweet joy, bitter shame, and utter astonishment, when Christ came and stood before Thomas. The doors were locked, the disciples were assembled, and this time Thomas was with them. Jesus came and stood in the midst of them and said, "Thomas - reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing." Then Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!"

What a confession from Thomas! What an incredible declaration. What a wonderful truth - for Jesus is alive and has broken the power of death in the lives of all who believe. When Thomas saw his Lord, his cocky comments and disdainful disbelief must have frozen on his lips - and his only response could be, "My Lord and my God!" Indeed, how grateful we are that these words of Thomas are recorded in the inspired, God-breathed Scriptures... for Jesus is indeed our God and our Saviour.

I am sure Christ's gentle admonishment at his earlier unbelief was a great relief, for although Thomas - like Peter - had denied his Lord, Jesus did not dismiss him, but met him at his point of need and strengthened his resolve to go into all the world and preach the gospel of Christ to others.

You and I do not have the opportunity to see the risen Lord Jesus in the same way that Thomas saw Him - but Jesus also added these words of comfort... especially for you and for me, "Blessed are they who have not seen, and yet have believed."

Heavenly Father, thank You that Jesus is our risen, ascended, and glorified God and Lord, Who died to redeem us and Who rose to give us His resurrected life. Thank You that even when we doubt You and are faithless, You remain faithful to Your promise that whosoever believes in Jesus for the forgiveness of sins will not perish but have everlasting life. Thank You in Jesus' holy name, AMEN.