Context No. 2894 of 4322 · John

John 20:24-31: in context

24But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, wasn’t with them when Jesus came. 25The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” 26After eight days, again his disciples were inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, the doors being locked, and stood in the middle, and said, “Peace be to you.” 27Then he said to Thomas, “Reach here your finger, and see my hands. Reach here your hand, and put it into my side. Don’t be unbelieving, but believing.” 28Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” 30Therefore Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book; 31but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.

Thomas was not there the first time the risen Jesus appeared, and he refuses to believe on the others' word: unless I see the nail marks and put my hand in his side, I will not believe. Eight days later Jesus comes through the locked doors and turns straight to him, offering exactly what he demanded: reach here your finger and see my hands; put your hand into my side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.

Notice Jesus' patience with the doubter. He does not shame Thomas or turn him away; he meets him at the precise point of his demand, offering the very evidence Thomas had set as his condition. And Thomas answers with the great confession of the Gospel: my Lord and my God. Then Jesus gently widens the blessing past Thomas to us, blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed, believing on the testimony John writes down so that we may have life in his name. Doubt honestly brought to Jesus can end in worship.

When I doubt, do I bring it honestly to Jesus like Thomas, and will I believe on the witness given to those who have not seen?

Sources

John 20:28: "Thomas answered him, My Lord and my God!"
John 20:31: "These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name."
1 Peter 1:8: "Whom, not having known, you love. In him, though now you don't see him, yet believing, you rejoice greatly."