“Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed’” (John 20:29; all Scripture quotations are from the English Standard Version).

Today is the Feast of St. Thomas. We think of him as Doubting Thomas, because he was the last apostle to believe that Jesus had risen. When Jesus visited the disciples in the upper room on the night following His resurrection, Thomas was not present. Since he did not see Jesus, he insisted he would not believe until he touched the wounds in His hands and side (John 20:25).

One week later, Jesus showed up again and invited Thomas to touch the wounds in his hands and side.

“Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ (John 20:27-28). 

Scripture does not say that Thomas actually placed his hand in the wounds. It is possible that he really only needed to see Jesus and hear His voice. John does tell us that, at this moment, Thomas was the first disciple to openly say that Jesus is God.

In a recent sermon, my pastor said that “Doubting Thomas” should be called Honest Thomas, since he honestly expressed difficulties in faith that would be truly natural. All the disciples doubted when they first heard that Jesus was risen. Let’s face it: The idea that a guy who has been brutally, violently killed can come back to life a few days later sounds absurd. Thomas honestly expressed his doubts. I (and probably all of us) would probably have even stronger doubts if I was in his circumstances. Jesus came and removed those doubts. Faith rushed in and filled his heart with confident assurance.

Tradition says that Thomas had a vibrant ministry in western India. I had a friend in college who claims that, according to a longstanding tradition within his family, one of his ancestors was led to Christ and baptized by St. Thomas. For Thomas, doubt led to honest expression, which opened the door for Jesus to instill faith in his heart. Then, the Holy Spirit empowered him to minister powerfully in His name.

May we all bring our doubts to Jesus so that He can increase our faith and the Holy Spirit can empower us for great impact in His name.

Everliving God, who strengthened your apostle Thomas with firm and certain faith in your Son’s resurrection: Grant us so perfectly and without doubt to believe in Jesus Christ, our Lord and our God, that our faith may never be found wanting in your sight; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (From the Book of Common Prayer.)

Copyright © 2025 Michael E. Lynch. All rights reserved.