Thomas called “Doubting Thomas”
Thomas was chosen to one of the 12 Disciples of Jesus. When Peter and others had seen Jesus after His Crucifixion Thomas told the other disciples “Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.” That is how he got his name the doubter.
Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15; John 11:16, 14:5, 20:24-28, 21:2; Acts 1:13
Jesus called his twelve disciples. One of them was Thomas in Greek, and Didymus in Aramaic is also called “Doubting Thomas”. The Bible does not give how or where he was chosen nor does it give his occupation nor information about his family tree.
Thomas was ready to die with Christ. (John 11:16).
The night Jesus told the disciples of his impending death He told them He was going to prepare a place for them. He told the disciples He would come again, and receive them unto Himself; that where I am, there you may be also. (John 14:3).
Jesus reminded the disciple that they know where He was going and how they know the way to get there. Thomas said unto Jesus, that they did not know where he was going now did they know how to get there. (John 14:4-5).
Jesus said unto Thomas, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.” (John 14:6-7).
Thomas was not there with the rest of the disciples when Jesus appeared to them after His Resurrection. (John 20:19-24).
When the disciples told Thomas they had seen the Lord Thomas said he would not believe it unless he saw the print of the nails in His hands, could put his finger into the print of the nails, and thrust his hand into the side of Jesus. (John 20:25).
Jesus Christ appeared again after eight days to His disciples. This time Thomas was with them when Jesus came in. The doors were shut yet Jesus stood in the midst of them. Jesus told Thomas to put his finger in His hands and thrust his hand into His side, and told Thomas to be not faithless, but believing. Jesus told Thomas because he wouldn’t believe unless he had seen; blessed are those who have not seen, yet they believe. (John 20:26-29; John 21:1-2).
Thomas was in the upper room after the Ascension of Jesus with the rest of the disciples. (Acts 1:13).
What Can Be Learned From This Story?
Thomas told the other disciples “Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.” That is how he got his name the doubter.
There are millions of people stubbornly want to witness miracles or see Jesus in person before they will believe in him, but the LORD God asks us to come to Him in faith. God provides the Bible, with eyewitness accounts of Jesus’ life, crucifixion and resurrection to strengthen our faith.
Jesus was speaking to His disciples telling them not to let their hearts be troubled for if they believed in the LORD God they also believed in Him. Jesus went on to explain in His Father’s house were many mansions and He was going to prepare a place for them. Jesus was saying He would come again and would receive them unto Himself. Continuing Jesus said they knew where He was going and how they know the way. Thomas needed more instruction because he didn’t know where his Lord was going, or how to follow.
Let us not be like Doubting Thomas and not recognize the Lord Jesus Christ when He come back to take us with Him.
Cite Article Source
MLA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne “Thomas called “Doubting Thomas”:.” Becker Bible Studies Library Oct 2014.<https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=1744,>.
APA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2014, October) “Thomas called “Doubting Thomas”:.” Becker Bible Studies Library. Retrieved from https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=1744,.
Chicago Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2014) “Thomas called “Doubting Thomas”:.” Becker Bible Studies Library (October), https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=1744, (accessed).
