Thomas got bad press as a doubter.  The resurrected Jesus had appeared to his disciples, but Tomas was missing.  When the others told Thomas what had happened, he replied, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”  Next Sunday Jesus appeared to the disciples again, but this time Thomas was among them. Jesus invites Thomas to examine his wounds, and says, “Do not doubt, but believe. Thomas declares, “My Lord and My God!” Jesus mildly rebukes him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” Poor doubting Thomas.

Back up a moment. The first time Jesus appeared to the disciples “he showed them his hands and his side.” They had received what Thomas wanted. There is no indication that any of them believed that Jesus had risen from the dead until they saw him except for John, the beloved disciple..That means Thomas wasn’t the odd one because he doubted. He represents the typical person who has trouble believing. And he was a chosen apostle.

Do you ever wonder about the story of Jesus. Did it really happen? Did he really rise from the dead? You’re in good company. Doubt is probably the case for most followers of Jesus. Yet they follow. The struggle we Christians have is not to drive out doubt, but to act in spite of doubt. 

Don’t worry about doubts.

Read John 20:224-29 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne