27 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.” 28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” 30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”
The opposite of doubt is trust. It is obedience and doing it in spite of doubt. For Thomas there was a complete commitment, “My Lord”, referred to the fact that he was back in the place with the Lord where he was before. Jesus was his personal Lord. That means Master, one that he would give complete allegiance to; one whom he would now follow and obey.
The “My God” statement was the expression of complete belief in who Jesus was in identity - God incarnate- God in the flesh. He was the object of complete worship and devotion for Thomas. Yet, Jesus was very personal. Now he was not so interested in how the miracles were performed, how He rose from the grave, nor interested in the details. His life was changed forever. He now walked with complete trust in Christ.
Jesus responded, “Because you have seen me you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” When Thomas replaced doubt with faith, he now saw Jesus with new eyes. Jesus isn’t saying that Thomas’ faith wasn’t good enough, but that people who don’t see but yet believe will be blessed for there is greater trust without sight. The importance of the resurrection isn’t the seeing of Jesus with our eyes, it is the believing in Him as God come to earth who died, rose again, and is now alive.
Jesus said “blessed are those who don’t see and believe.” It is the weaker faith that has to have it proved outwardly. The stronger faith knows. It doesn’t take much faith to believe God is God when a person is healed, for instance, but it does take a great deal of faith to believe God and trust Him when we don’t get healed.
Are we trusting conditionally in our healing or unconditionally in God for whatever He determines is best for His purposes? We need to believe Jesus will hold us, accomplish His will, and bring us unto Himself.
It is the purpose of the author, John, to tell these things to convince his readers, that Jesus is the Christ the Son of the living God. (Vs. 31) Do you really believe that? Then don’t worry about the signs. Oh yeah, pray for healing and pray for God's greater presence, but let’s not confuse that with faith nor let those doubts cloud our acceptance of Him.
I’m glad Thomas, like scientists, asked for evidence. Now his testimony helps other doubters. To believe in Jesus is just the beginning, not the end. If you have doubts and troubles of believing, remember Thomas. Don’t be troubled because you have doubts. They can be healthy. Jesus didn’t rebuke Thomas. Jesus also didn’t rebuke John the Baptist when John's disciples came to Jesus and asked if He was really the One. What did Jesus tell them? “Go tell John, the blind see, the lame walk, their sins are forgiven."
When a person handles his doubts properly, his faith will be strengthened. That was Thomas’ experience. He met the Lord. He moved from doubt to trust.
Application: How about in your life? Jesus rose from the dead. Is He alive in you?
Prayer: Lord God You are Almighty. You know all things. You know my heart and my doubts. Bring me to Yourself in a way that brings my heart to a life of complete worship and devotion.
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