Who is Jesus? Chapter 56 “Doubting Thomas”

Who is Jesus? Chapter 56 “Doubting Thomas”

See my Hands and My Feet and My Side

The Gospel of John is the only book that records the happening of Thomas and his doubts. 

It is interesting to notice that all the disciples and followers were slow to believe and even prior to the crucifixion, they could not grasp all Jesus was telling them about his death and resurrection in three days. 

Although the 12 apostles were prominent and spent more quality time with Jesus, there were many others who Jesus gave special assignments. At one time Jesus sent out 35 teams to teach, heal and cast out demons. This was a total of 70 anointed followers sent out two by two. When they returned, with tremendous reports, Jesus told them not to rejoice in their success of demons being subject onto them, but to be happy that their names were written down in heaven.

Jesus knew the prideful heart of man, and how easy it is for man to consider the success was “all mine,” and not credit the power given to us to accomplish the ministry is only through His Holy Spirit.

It had been three days since the crucifixion, and on His resurrection on this third day a lot happened: The women found the empty tomb with angels telling them Jesus was risen as he said. Jesus appeared to Mary out of whom he had cast out 7 demons, He also appeared to Peter. Then He walked with to 2 followers on the road to Emmaus, who were not the original 12 disciples, and He revealed himself to them. Now when the two men returned to Jerusalem, telling the disciples that they had been with Jesus, the disciples did not believe.  

After a time, Jesus appeared to all those gathered in a locked room because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders.

Now Thomas, one of the original twelve, was not with them when Jesus appeared in the locked room. So later the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But Thomas found it difficult to believe and said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

Eight days later, the disciples were inside the house again, and this time Thomas was with them. Although the doors were again locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”

Then Jesus said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

You may question like Thomas did; “How can I believe all these things when I have never seen Jesus and I wasn't there?”

The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 that But as it is written:  “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.  But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God."

Understand that in our Inward person, we will have a “knowing” that this is true. It will be like a burning in our heart that convinces me and you, that it is safe to believe. The Bible calls this a quickening and the truth becomes alive to us.

By the Holy Spirit we can reach out and grasp a strong hold on truth and know without a doubt that Jesus is real and that He is alive and dwells in the hearts of those who invite Him into their life.

John is declaring in his final words in chapter 20 of his gospel: Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but 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.