Day 26 — Thomas Asks

“‘Lord,’ said Thomas, ‘we do not know where You are going, so how can we know the way?’ Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’”

— John 14:5–6 (BSB)

Thomas is famous for one thing: doubting. People still call him “Doubting Thomas.” But there’s a lot more to him than that.

Thomas was brave. Once, when Jesus decided to go back to an area where people had tried to kill Him, the other disciples were scared. But Thomas said, “Let us also go, so that we may die with Him” (John 11:16). He was ready to follow Jesus even into danger.

And Thomas was honest. He wasn’t afraid to ask questions.

On the night before Jesus died, Jesus was telling His disciples that He was going away to prepare a place for them. Then He said, “You know the way to the place where I am going.”

Everybody else just nodded. But Thomas spoke up: “Lord, we do not know where You are going, so how can we know the way?”

Thomas didn’t pretend to understand. He was honest enough to say, I don’t get it.

And because Thomas asked, Jesus gave one of the most important answers in the whole Bible: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

Think about that. We have that amazing verse, one that has helped millions of people understand who Jesus is, because one guy was brave enough to ask a question.

Many guys don’t like to admit when they don’t understand something. They’d rather nod along and pretend. But Thomas shows that asking honest questions is a good thing. Jesus wasn’t annoyed by Thomas’s question. He answered it.

You can ask Jesus your questions too. Big questions about God, about the Bible and about life. You can ask your parents, pastors and leaders. Real faith isn’t afraid of questions. Questions are how you learn and grow.

And the answer Jesus gave Thomas is the answer to the biggest question of all. How do we get to God? Through Jesus. He is the Way.

Think about it: Is there a question about God or faith that you’ve been afraid to ask? Why?

Try this: Ask one honest question about God or the Bible this week, to God in prayer and to a trusted adult.

Dear Jesus, thank You that I can ask You honest questions, just like Thomas did. Thank You that You are the way, the truth and the life. Help me follow You, the only Way to the Father. In Your name, Amen.