Thomas Believes

“Thomas replied, ‘My Lord and my God!’” — John 20:28

One of the twelve disciples, Thomas, wasn’t with the others when Jesus came on that first Sunday evening.

When Thomas came back, the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

But Thomas didn’t believe them. “Unless I see the nail marks in His hands,” he said, “and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into His side, I won’t believe it.”

Thomas wasn’t a bad person. He loved Jesus. He had once said he was ready to go and die with Him (John 11:16). But he had seen Jesus die, and it was too hard to believe that He was alive again. He needed to see for himself.

A whole week went by. Thomas must have felt left out, with everyone else so happy and sure.

Eight days later, the disciples were together in the house again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked. And Jesus came and stood among them.

“Peace be with you!” He said.

Then Jesus turned straight to Thomas. “Put your finger here,” He said, “and look at My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Stop doubting, and believe.”

Jesus knew exactly what Thomas had said, even though He hadn’t been there to hear it. And He didn’t tell Thomas off. He gave Thomas exactly what he needed.

Thomas didn’t need to touch Jesus after all. He just looked at Him. And he said, “My Lord and my God!”

Thomas, the one who doubted, said something nobody had said so clearly before. Jesus isn’t just a great teacher. He isn’t just a prophet. He is Lord. He is God.

Then Jesus said, “Because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen Me and yet have believed.”

Who do you think Jesus was talking about? People who would believe in Him without seeing Him with their own eyes. People like you and me! We haven’t seen Jesus the way Thomas did. But we can still believe. And Jesus says we are blessed.

John, who wrote down this story, tells us why he wrote his Gospel: “These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.”

Read it in your Bible: John 20:24–31

Dear Jesus, you are my Lord and my God! When I find it hard to believe, please help me. Thank you that you bless people who believe in you without seeing you. Amen.