We are continuing our thoughts on what it was like for the disciples of Jesus when God raised Him from death. John the Apostle now brings to our attention one last witness and shares Thomas's encounter with the resurrected Lord Jesus.
24Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe." 26A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" 27Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." 28Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" 29Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed" (John 20:24-29).
How did Thomas miss the appearance of Jesus that first night of the resurrection? Before judging him too harshly, let us acknowledge that each person handles tragedy and pain in his own way. Perhaps, Thomas retreated and isolated himself by seeking solitude instead of fellowship. At times, everyone needs solitude, but when a believer is low in spirit, it is wise to receive encouragement from other believers. When we isolate ourselves, we are unaware of how vulnerable we can be and what blessings we may miss. Thomas heard the other disciples talking about Jesus' appearance with great excitement, but He would not allow himself to believe it.
How gracious the Lord was to Thomas by coming again a week later! (v. 26). Jesus came up close to Thomas and invited him to check out the evidence firsthand so that he would believe it! It is interesting to note that, although the Lord was not there when the disciples told Thomas of Jesus' visit, He was listening to his refusal to believe. We should never forget that God hears all that proceeds from our mouths. Nothing escapes His attention, and our loving God sees and hears every idle word and action (Matthew 12:36).
Thomas was not ready to walk by faith. He only trusted what he could see and experience through his senses. The disciples were entering into a new relationship with Jesus that required them to walk by faith, not sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). Thomas wanted to see and feel before believing that Christ had risen. When the Lord invited Thomas to touch the nail marks in His hands, he fell to his knees, saying, "My Lord and my God!"
To Thomas' credit, once he saw Jesus, he did not hold back but immediately worshiped Him. He finally entered into the blessing and joy that the other disciples experienced. Not all believers will have evidence given to their senses. On occasion, God may unusually give a person confirmation, but we should step out in faith in God's objective word and the testimony of the Holy Spirit inside us. We must live by faith and not by sight. Jesus said to Thomas, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed" (John 20:29, Emphasis mine).
The African impala gives us a perfect illustration of the difference between our sense knowledge and faith. The impala can be kept in an enclosure with a wall only three feet high, even though these animals can jump to a height of over ten feet and cover a distance of more than thirty feet with a single bound. However, the impalas will not jump unless they can see where their feet will land. Faith is the ability to trust what we cannot see and leap out of whatever barriers keep us bound to the realm of the senses. Thomas is the last of the disciples John presents as a testimony to you and me to help us believe and trust in Christ. Keith Thomas.
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Taken from the series in the Gospel of John, study 41: Jesus Appears to Mary and the Disciples