“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
Dissolving Doubts
Many rookies get pranked by seasoned veterans when they go to their first training camp. It is part of the initiation into being a professional athlete. As long as it’s good natured, it may be harmless, but some newbies might wonder if anyone can be trusted.
Things can be tough when we doubt, but many adults learn to question many things. That doesn’t surprise God. He knows all about people, and He wasn’t surprised by doubting Thomas.
God the Father carefully planned the appearances of God the Son after He came out of the tomb. Thomas initially doubted everything, but soon enough he began declaring to the world that Jesus is risen. “Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So 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'” (John 20:24-25).
After eight days passed, Jesus visited Thomas. “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).
Many eyewitnesses saw the risen Lord several times during the 40 days before He went back to Heaven. We too have every reason to stop doubting and start believing.
— Bill Kent, Pastor of Memorial Baptist Church, Sylvania, Ga.
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