Articles
One Week After
A little over two weeks ago, Japan felt the force of a major earthquake, the aftershocks, and several tsunami waves. The resulting devastation continues to affect the country. It will be a day the people of Japan will long remember, including where they were and what they were doing when these events occurred. No doubt it will be a turning point in that country’s history.
Think about another turning point in the history of the world, one that also had an impact on people then living and those who would live after them: it is the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Specifically, consider the impact of the Lord’s resurrection in the life of one man – Thomas.
It is one week after the resurrection. Thomas had not been with the others on the Sunday when Jesus first appeared to the disciples in that locked room. Scripture does not go into the why; we are simply told (John 20:24) that Thomas was not there, and yes, he missed a lot by his absence. Thomas refused to believe the testimony of others who had seen the Lord: Mary Magdalene, the women who went early to the tomb, the Emmaus disciples and now the other ten apostles. When told of the Lord’s appearance by the ten, Thomas replies, “…Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails and put my finger into the print of the nails and put my hand into His side, I will not believe” (John 20:25). In spite of the ten’s concern for Thomas, as important as it was, they could not change his mind.
Maybe it was the ten apostles’ continued affirmation of seeing the Lord that caused Thomas not to miss the next Lord’s Day’s assembly (20:26). Thomas was not disappointed, as Jesus appeared in their midst. He invited Thomas to perform his test: “Then he said to Thomas, reach your finger here and look at My hands; and reach your hand here and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing” (20:27). Thomas had demanded evidence, and here it was: tangible, overwhelming, indisputable evidence! Thomas had often seen these nail-scarred hands of Jesus at work: giving instant sight to the blind, cleansing lepers and even blessing little children. It is interesting to note that we are not told if Thomas actually reached his finger or his hand and touched the Lord. But upon seeing the evidence, Thomas explained, “My Lord and My God” (20:28). This exclamation acknowledges Jesus as Deity. Thomas’ doubt and skepticism had turned into shining faith. Thomas had received the greatest proof of all: the manifestation of the love of Jesus revealed in those wounds.
Jesus does not condemn anyone for wanting evidence. Thomas was an honest doubter, but became a strong believer. Due to Thomas’ doubt, we can be made sure – at least this is how Jesus presents it in John 20:29. As another has put it, to Thomas “seeing was believing, but for us believing is seeing.”
