Is It Wrong to Doubt?

One of the disciples of Jesus will always be remembered by his nickname.  And this is "doubting Thomas".  I sometimes feel bad for Thomas because he is remembered for having honest doubts about Jesus' resurrection. Let's remember that you might have doubts if someone you saw who was crucified and died and then he showed up at your house.  Let's see what we can learn from Jesus' interaction with "doubting Thomas".  

Jesus Appears to Thomas

24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus[a]), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So 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.26 A 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!” 27 Then 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.” 28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Jesus appears to the disciples three times in three different ways.  He appeared to Mary Magdalene, who was weeping at his tomb.  When he called her by name, she instantly recognized Jesus. Then, she went and told the disciples who were huddled together in fear.  Next, Jesus appears to his disciples and shows them his hands and his side where the wounds caused by the nails and the speer were.  

But there was one disciple who needed more evidence to believe.  His name was Thomas.  Thomas wanted to put his his fingers and hands in the wounds.  He needed proof. When Jesus shows up a week later, how does he does he respond to Thomas' request and what can we learn about Jesus in this story.  

1. Jesus didn't shame Thomas for asking to do this.  Though he said, "stop doubting and believe" I think this was more of a sincere desire for Thomas to come to faith than to berate him publicly.  Jesus was more than willing to give Thomas the evidence he needed to come to faith. 

2. The story confirms that Jesus really did die and really rose from the dead. The marks in his hands and side show that he wasn't a ghost.  Jesus died on the cross and was placed in a tomb and literally rose from the dead. The disciples died witnessing to this fact. People rarely will die for the truth, but no one would die for a lie. This is the ultimate proof for the truth of the Christian faith. 

3. Jesus calls those who have not seen and yet believe "blessed". That would be all of us.  The disciples were blessed to see the risen Jesus.  We experience the risen Lord in other ways.  

Though we haven't not seen Jesus yet, one day our faith will become sight. One day, like the disciples, we will meet the resurrected and ascended Jesus.  He promised that He will come in great and promised glory. What a day it will be when like when we like the disciples will see Jesus face to face.  I can't wait!