Doubt and Thomas

Jesse Wenzel - April 27. 2025

John 20: 26-29

The Gospel passage for this week in the lectionary is actually John 20: 19-31.  This is the story of Jesus appearing to the remaining disciples after the crucifixion and resurrection as they hide from the people who killed Jesus.  Jesus appeared to them in this hideout.  Thomas was not there.  When Thomas returned and they told him of seeing Jesus, Thomas did not believe them and made his famous demand.   In John 20: 24, Thomas says: “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my fingers in the mark of the nails and my hands in his side, I will not believe.”   Today, I want to concentrate on a small portion of the reading, the powerful encounter found in John 20: 26-29 after Thomas makes his demands.  This portion of the passage tells us about the encounter between Thomas and Jesus.  During the first encounter when Jesus appears to the disciples and greets them:  He says:  “Peace be with you.”.  But Thomas is not there.  He breaths on them and said “Receive the Holy Spirit.  If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”  But Thomas misses all of this.  When he returns, they tell him about Jesus’ visit.  Thomas is obviously skeptical.  A week later, Jesus appears again in this locked upper room.  He again said to them “Peace be with you”.  Then he addresses Thomas directly.  “Put your fingers here and see my hands.  Reach out your hand and put it in my side.  Do not doubt but believe.”  Thomas answered him “My Lord and my God!”   This is how we have come to think of him as Doubting Thomas.  But is Thomas any different than us?  

Thomas has often been criticized for his skepticism, but we must remember that doubt is a natural part of all of us.  In John 11:16, right before the resurrection of Lazarus, the Jews want to kill Jesus for blasphemy.  Thomas shows his courage and dedication to Jesus saying: “Let us go, that we may die with him.”  This shows us that Thomas did not lack faith; he was willing to follow Jesus even in the face of death.        

But as we recall, 8 days after Jesus’ first appearance to them, the disciples were still hiding in a locked upper room.  This time Thomas was there when Jesus appeared.   Jesus invites Thomas to touch and see his wounds and Thomas’ doubt is wiped away.  Again, only after seeing the wounds.  Jesus says to Thomas: “Have you believed because you have seen me?  Blessed are those who have NOT seen and yet have come to believe.”  

Marcus Borg in “Jesus: Uncovering the Life, Teachings and Relevance of a Religious Revolutionary” suggests  QUOTE “Unless we reflect the closing words of the story with an accusatory tone of voice, there is no condemnation of Thomas.  Thomas desired his own firsthand experience of the risen Jesus, and his desire was granted; Jesus appeared to him.  The closing words of Jesus can be read without condemnation.  They simply affirm that those who believe without first hand experience of the risen Jesus are also blessed, but he does not condemn those who, like Thomas, hunger for such an experience.”  END QUOTE    

This seems to me to be a profound moment where Jesus meets Thomas in his doubt.  Jesus does not chastise Thomas for his lack of faith, rather he invites Thomas to explore the evidence for himself.  This shows a compassionate Jesus who understands our struggles and invites us to see the evidence.  

In response to Jesus’ invitation, Thomas says: “My Lord, My God.”  This is a strong statement of acknowledgement from Thomas and maybe for all us doubters.  It is the essence of faith, recognizing Jesus for who he is.  Thomas’ encounter teaches us that faith isn’t the absence of doubt but the willingness to confront our doubts.  

Jesus’ response to Thomas and us speaks volumes.  It recognizes the journey many of us take in our faith experience, a faith that is not based on physical proof but in a trust in the promise of Jesus.  

So what does this mean for us today living in a world filled with doubt?  Like Thomas, we may find ourselves questioning, struggling to believe in the unknown, but Jesus invites us to bring our doubts to him.  Our struggles can be a stepping stone to a deeper faith.  

When we face doubts about our faith, we can be assured we are not alone in our struggles.  Just as Jesus met Thomas in his doubt,  he will meet us where we are.  We can question, seek evidence and bring our uncertainties to him.

The blessing pronounced by Jesus on those who believe without seeing encourages us to cultivate a faith that trusts God.  Even when we cannot see hard evidence.  

The story of Thomas teaches us about faith and the compassion of Jesus even for those like me who doubt.   It challenges us to engage with our uncertainties and to seek a deeper  understanding of WHO Jesus is.  As we continue our faith journey, let us remember that doubt can lead to discovery.  That in our moments of uncertainty,  Jesus invites us to reach out, explore, and find a deeper faith.  

Thank you for listening.