Lesson 115

But he said to them, "Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe."

Today's Lesson comes in two parts. Part one is verses 24-29 and the story of Thomas' encounter with the Risen Christ. Part two is verses 30 & 31 and what some scholars believe is the summary or mission statement of the Gospel.

When Jesus had appeared in the midst of the other disciples, Thomas had not been there for some undisclosed reason. We met Thomas earlier in Chapter 11 when Jesus told the disciples that He must return to Judea because Lazarus was dead. Thomas was the disciple that had said, "Let's go also, that we may die with him."

When the other disciples told Thomas what they had seen, he said, "Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe." Perhaps Thomas had learned the knack for making rash statements from Peter. Because of this statement, Thomas has come to be known in history as "Doubting Thomas." We are warned about being a Doubting Thomas but no one ever says a Doubting Peter. Yet, Peter was just as skeptical at first. None of the disciples believed when Mary Magdalene first told them.

In any case, after eight days, Jesus returns in the same way to speak with the disciples. The doors were locked and they were together and suddenly Jesus appeared in their midst. After bidding peace to them, Jesus addresses Thomas' skepticism. Jesus does not scold Thomas for his doubts. Jesus addresses them directly. "Reach here your finger, and see my hands. Reach here your hand, and put it into my side." In the same way, Jesus will address our doubts as well. There is no hiding with God, no misdirection. God is not put off by our doubts, not if we address them to Him and are unafraid of His reaction.

And Thomas' reaction is one of the high points in the Gospel. To Thomas is granted one of the greatest statements of faith in this Gospel. Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" His response is the response that the Gospel demands of us all. Jesus did say to him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blesses are those who have not seen, and have believed." Jesus deals with those whose faith is wide and deep and those whose faith seems only a whisper or a memory. If you have been given great faith, blessed are you. If you are riddled with doubt and uncertainty, Christ will show you His hands.

Many believe that verse 31 is a summary of the whole Gospel in a sentence. The Gospel was written, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name." Just as Christ came to Thomas and showed him His hands and side, Christ also comes to us through this Gospel. We are called to believe that Jesus is the Anointed One of God and the Son of God. And we are assured that having believed we will have life in His name.

Here is the purpose for our creation and continued existence. We were created to be creatures of faith. God wants us to believe in Him, to accept His words by faith. When we do so, we are transformed to men and women filled with the life of God. Believe! Be filled! God awaits you and seeks to reveal Himself to you. Will you keep Him waiting longer? Will you open your heart to His voice?