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Thomas’s Profile
Thomas, so often remembered as "Doubting Thomas," deserves
to be respected for his faith. He was a doubter, but his doubts had a purpose -
he wanted to know the truth. Thomas did not idolize his doubts; he gladly
believed when given reasons to do so. He expressed his doubts fully and had them
answered completely. Doubting was only his way of responding, not his way of
life.
Although our glimpses of Thomas are brief, his character
comes through with consistency. He struggled to be faithful to what he knew,
despite what he felt. At one point, when it was plain to everyone that Jesus’
life was in danger, only Thomas put into words what most were feeling, "Let us
also go, that we may die with him" (John 11:16). He didn’t hesitate to follow
Jesus.
We don’t know why Thomas was absent the first time Jesus
appeared to the disciples after the resurrection, but he was reluctant to
believe their witness to Christ’s resurrection. Not even ten friends could
change his mind!
We can doubt without having to live a doubting way of life.
Doubt encourages rethinking. Its purpose is more to sharpen the mind than to
change it. Doubt can be used to pose the question, get an answer, and push for a
decision. But doubt was never meant to be permanent condition. Doubt is one foot
lifted, poised to step forward or backward. There is no motion until the foot
comes down.
When you experience doubt, take encouragement from Thomas. He
didn’t stay in his doubt, but allowed Jesus to bring him to belief. Take
encouragement also from the fact that countless other followers of Christ have
struggled with doubts. The answers God gave them may help you too. Don’t settle
into doubts, but move on from them to decision and belief. Find another believer
with whom you can share your doubts. Silent doubts rarely find answers.
Thomas’s Strengths and Accomplishments
1. One of Jesus’ 12 disciples
2. Intense both in doubt and belief
3. Was a loyal and honest man
Thomas's Weaknesses and Mistakes
1. Along with the others, abandoned Jesus at his arrest
2. Refused to believe the others’ claims to have seen Christ and demanded proof
3. Struggled with a pessimistic outlook
Lessons from Thomas’s Life
1. Jesus does not reject doubts that are honest and directed toward belief
2. Better to doubt out loud than to disbelieve in silence
Thomas’s Vital Statistics
1. Where: Galilee, Judea, Samaria
2. Occupation: Disciple of Jesus
3. Contemporaries: Jesus, other disciples, Herod, Pilate
Key Verses
"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!’ " (John 20:27,28).
Thomas’s story is told in the Gospels. He is also mentioned in Acts 1:13.
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