Every year that pesky story of doubting Thomas turns up.  You remember how Thomas doubts that Jesus is risen from the dead because he didn’t actually see him risen. Then Jesus appears to Thomas and says, “Do not doubt but believe.” Of course, Thomas believes. Finally, Jesus gives this injunction: “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”

One of the consequences of this story is that people are made to feel guilty if they have doubts. To feel doubts is taken as an indication that a person is a pretty poor Christian.

I was looking at the story again and realized that the instruction not to doubt is only addressed to Thomas, not to anyone else and certainly not to generations of followers. Think about it. The only person told not to doubt is one standing in the presence of Jesus himself. If that wouldn’t convince a person that Jesus is risen from the dead, what would?

So what about all the millions of people who haven’t seen Jesus face to face. “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” To believe without seeing is a blessing, but there is no condemnation made of those who doubt. No one is a bad Christian because they struggle with belief. Doubt is part of the life of faith. We live our lives striving to act out of faith even tough we have our doubts.

Blessed are you who believe despite doubts.

Read John 20:20-29 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne