Doubting Thomas

Thomas was his Hebrew name, while Didymus was his Greek name. Only John’s gospel has information about him, while in other gospels, he is listed as one among twelve. John mentions Thomas on three occasions: the raising of Lazarus; when he wanted to know the way here Jesus was going; and witnessing the resurrection.(John 11:2-16; 14:1-6; 20:25)

Pessimist and Realist

By temperament, Thomas was perhaps a pessimist or a stubborn realist. Thomas understood the context that the Jewish religious leaders were conspiring to kill the Lord. The Lord got the news about Lazarus, and He stayed two more days. When the Lord called the disciples to go to the village of Lazarus, Thomas wanted to know why they should go where the Lord could be stoned. (John 11: 7-8) Thomas told the other disciples to go along with him and die. (John 11:16)

Way and Destination

Lord Jesus Christ shared his agony of being betrayed by one and denied by another. The disciples were unable to digest this fact, so he asked them not to be troubled, as He was going to prepare a place for them and would come back to take them (John 13:21-38; 14:1-6). Perplexed pessimist Thomas could not understand mansions and eternity. He asked the Lord where he was going. The Lord’s statement was then spelled out that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

My Lord and My God

All eleven disciples were hiding in a closed room. Thomas was bold enough to go out for food, or he wanted to know what was happening outside. At that time, the Lord appeared to the ten apostles. Thomas must have been rattled by that news. The week must have been the longest week for Thomas. He must have been in spiritual and emotional agony. Will the missed opportunity ever come back? Will he ever see the Risen Lord as other Apostles had? Did the Lord truly love him, or was he rejected? After eight days, the gracious Lord appeared again. Then he exclaimed: “My Lord and My God.”(John 20:24-28) These words of worship and exclamation were a conclusion of love, reason, and revelation. These words are the climax of the gospel.

Thomas in history

There are many strong traditions that state Thomas visited India. It is believed he reached the seaport in Muziris (Cranganore) on the Kerala coast in AD 52. Church Father Eusebius records that Thomas and Bartholomew were allotted the regions of Parthia and India. In the year AD 72, he was martyred in Mylapore, near Chennai. Many Christians today from the Syrian Orthodox Church, Roman Catholic Church, and Mar Thoma churches claim that they are descendants of the first converts of Thomas.

Challenge

God chose Thomas, who was honest in his search and faith. Lord appeared to him again as he loved him, and he loved India. God can transform even people who have doubts and pessimists to be his ardent followers, full of faith.