A week later his 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!"
Then 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." Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"
After Thomas refused to believe in the resurrection regardless of what his friends said and saw, Jesus confronts his doubts by appearing once again in this upper room. Now Thomas sees for himself. One comes to saving and active faith ultimately not based on what other people say or do but based on their own meeting with Jesus.
Stephen Board, wrote for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship on doubts and discussed doubts because of emotions, doubts of ignorance, and doubts of the will. An emotional doubt stems not from facts, but how we feel about something. Our convictions cause us to look at the facts differently than “objective” people.
I have often been with husbands and wives who perceive reality differently based on their emotions. I keep telling myself not to come to my conclusions on a matter until I have heard both sides of the story. People see life differently from their emotional experiences.
There is also a doubt of ignorance. Ignorance of the facts perpetuates doubts. Politicians are masters at trying to circulate misinformation, half information, and outright lies.
Stephen Board talked thirdly about doubts of the will. This is just the plain desire to want to believe something or to not believe something.
Some doubts are simply based on one’s refusal to look at evidence.
Jesus came into the room with locked the doors and His first words were again, “Peace”. He came to bring peace to ease their fears and doubts. He is real. For Thomas, the confrontation of emotional doubts ceased when he was with people again, but the confrontation of meeting Jesus confronted his doubts of ignorance.
I find if frustrating to discuss with someone who objects to Christianity by looking at evidence that points to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. As soon as one question is answered he has more. I have experienced those questions move from doubts of ignorance to doubts of the will. One refuses to believe because to accept some facts means they would have to change their thinking or admit they were wrong. People do not like to admit they were wrong.
Jesus knew the heart of Thomas. Even when Jesus was not in the room, He knew his doubts, but when Thomas was confronted with the risen Lord, he changed his will and bowed down and gave a confession of faith and recommitment. His was a response that is one of the greatest that can be given. “My Lord and my God.” His doubts were confronted and he was willing to admit his was wrong. He realized a whole new purpose in living and in dying when by his will he submitted himself to the living Lord. He believed.
Application: Jesus knows your doubts. Talk with Him about them and look to His Word. Believe what it says.
Prayer: Oh Lord, I love this story because it shows how much You love us and know our every thought. I love knowing that when I doubt, You will meet me there and Your Holy Spirit will lead me into all Truth.
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