24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. 26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. 27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. 29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
John 20:24-29
The account of Thomas in one of the greatest illustrations of unbelief. Some call him doubting Thomas but this one occasion should not be considered illustrative of his whole life. We have all had moments of unbelief!
Thomas had one episode where he did not respond in faith. We have all done the same and responded similarly to at least one situation in our lives! Do we want to be called doubting Bob or doubting Suzy?
I believe that the Holy Spirit led John to record this situation to help us recognize a serious mistake that many have made. The account of Thomas was placed there to show us how to avoid making the same in our faith walks.
The other disciples therefore said unto him, “We have seen the Lord.“
He said unto them, “Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.“
Thomas could have responded differently. He could have rejoiced or even asked for more information.
There is a certain defiance in the way Thomas replied to the other disciples. There are a lot of Christians who respond similarly to reports of miracles happening today.
“I will not believe.”
Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
Hebrews 3:12
The writer of Hebrews call unbelief evil. This is something each one of should pay attention to. I’ve even heard ministers say unbelief is bad but not evil. They are disagreeing with Scripture!
Thomas’ response showed an unwillingness to agree with the other disciples report. Unbelief is evil because it shows an unwillingness to agree with Scripture.
Unbelief is largely sourced in pride. It often is a result of the person believing that what they know is more accurate than what they are being told.
There are people who will refuse to believe God has healed them until a medical doctor can confirm it. This attitude is no different that Thomas’ attitude concerning Jesus’ resurrection.
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