“Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin,was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.’
Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you. ’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! ’Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed’” (John 20:24-29; all Scripture quotations are from the English Standard Version).

Thomas often gets a bad rap. We call him “Doubting Thomas” because he demanded proof before he would believe that Jesus had risen from the grave.

How many of us would have believed? Most can believe in resuscitation. Resurrection is different. I have known people resuscitated after being “brain dead” or clinically dead for several minutes. My mother was dead on an operating table for about 20 minutes as a teenager. But several days later? That sounds unbelievable, even absurd. I have never met anyone like that. If you told me someone rose from the dead days after I watched him die, I would think you were crazy or had a warped sense of humor.

Thomas and I would probably have become good friends. We both want evidence. We want to believe, but cannot bring ourselves to believe without some assurance that what we have heard is true. “Show me! Extravagant claims demand undeniable proof!”

When Jesus visited again the following week, He did not reprimand Thomas for his doubts. Instead, He alleviated them. I can almost imagine additional dialogue that the Bible does not record: “So, Thomas, I understand that you won’t believe it’s really Me until you put your hand in My wounds. Don’t worry about it; these guys wouldn’t believe until I ate something. Here, look at my hands; feel the scabs that are still healing; let Me show you where the centurion stabbed his spear into my side.”

John’s Gospel tells us that Jesus invited Thomas to feel His wounds; it does not actually say Thomas did so. Perhaps just seeing Him, hearing His voice, and being invited to touch the wounds was all he needed.

“My Lord and my God!” Thomas believed.

Like Thomas, there are times when I have needed evidence to believe in God. Maybe you have been there too, praying, “I believe, Lord; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24).

How will Jesus help our unbelief? Most of us will be “those who have not seen and yet have believed” Christians. He will not appear in flesh-and-blood before us, but He will give us other reasons to believe.

He calls us to gather with other believers within the church. This is not to fulfill a religious obligation or score points, as if God is keeping track of attendance and ready to give you a failing grade for excessive absences. It is so that we can encourage one another:

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24-25).

One part of worship and fellowship is mutual edification. When we hear how God has answered prayer and helped people we know through difficult times, it reminds us that He is real. I might be able to reject the miracles of the Bible as “myths” or “fairy tales,” but I cannot say that when someone I know and trust has a praise report. I have seen miraculous healings; that is one reason why I can believe the stories in the Bible.

God also gives us His Word. “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). He will speak to you through His Word. As the Holy Spirit works through the Word, you will be able to grow in faith.

When God speaks through His Word, act on it: “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:22). As we act on God’s Word and see it succeed in our lives, our faith will grow.

Finally, faith will grow as we seek God daily. Pray; listen to worship music; meditate (think long and deeply) about God’s Word. He knows what your faith needs, and He will provide it if you seek Him.

Jesus met Thomas when he was gathered with the other disciples. Thomas did not give up and surrender to doubt. Thomas probably spent the entire week hearing the other disciples talk about how Jesus visited after He rose from the grave. He was probably mumbling below his breath, “Yeah right. I’ll believe it when I see it.” Nevertheless, he continued to meet with the disciples, so he was in the right place when Jesus decided to reveal Himself again.

Do you share Thomas’ need for proof? Do not deny your doubts. If you want to believe, admit your uncertainties to God. He will meet you where you are.

Copyright © 2026 Michael E. Lynch. All rights reserved.