Read John 20:19-31

Day 1 Thomas the Brave

John 11:16

You may have missed him, but we first hear Thomas earlier in John’s gospel before the events around Jesus’ crucifixion. John 10:22 shows Jesus in Jerusalem teaching and being challenged by the authorities about his claim to be sent by God – Messiah. (We’ll look more closely at this text in a few weeks.) By the end of the conversation people are ready to kill Jesus and those in authority want to arrest him. The last part of chapter 10 tells us how Jesus withdrew from the controversy in Jerusalem to the area by the Jordan River while people continue to speculate about who he is and what his teaching calls for.

Then unwelcome news arrives from Bethany. Lazarus is ill. Bethany is within sight of the walls of Jerusalem. You can hear the strain within the group of disciples… surely he must help his friend… surely he must not go near Jerusalem. When Jesus announces that he is going we hear Thomas’ voice for the first time. “Let’s go die with him.”

Last week we noted that faith covers the spectrum from love to loyalty and Thomas gives us an excellent example. He has seen the love of God in Jesus and declares his loyalty, not imagining that he will see Jesus call Lazarus from death.

Reflect on the demonstrations of God’s love that you have seen. Start at the foot of the cross and move through the stream of your life events. Tell God where your loyalty lies.

Day 2 Thomas with Questions

John 14:1-7

Thomas has seen the unimaginable and been thrilled by Jesus’ welcome to Jerusalem by the Passover crowds. At their private Passover celebration Jesus enters into an intensive time of teaching with his disciples. It’s his farewell address. He’s doing odd things like washing their feet and talking about the disciples scattering and denying him. Imagine the turmoil running through each disciple’s heart while they try to process what they are hearing.

Thomas pipes up with a question. This paradigm of loyalty is confused. He wants to follow, but doesn’t know where. Let’s not condemn Thomas for slipping into an “I don’t get it” frame of mind. Because of that question we get to hear Jesus give Thomas and all of the disciples a bedrock for faith. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. He is the real deal, the only way to God.

Admit it, you can’t read the Bible without some confusion and questions, not if you’re really paying attention! This bedrock of The Way, The Truth, The Life is the touchstone that will lead you through all puzzles. Jesus the Living Word is the interpreter of the written Word. Read today’s passage again and listen to Jesus’ reassuring words.

Day 3 Thomas Afraid

John 20:19-25

So, where’s Thomas? We know the disciples scattered at Jesus’ arrest. Only John is mentioned at the crucifixion. Peter and John inspect the empty tomb. No one knows what to do with Mary’s report of seeing Jesus. Some disciples have gathered behind locked doors for fear.

Yes, fear. Thomas, who said he was willing to face death, who saw Jesus snatch Lazarus from death, has now seen the determination of those who oppose Jesus. In the face of Jesus’ arrest, trial, torture and execution, Thomas is M.I.A. We can understand it. The theoretical had turned real, and logic won’t rest easy. Self-preservation sets in. When confronted with unbelievable tales of resurrection we hear him make a logical demand for proof, but there’s a hint of shrill hysteria that crosses a line. Are you not repulsed by the thought of putting your finger into the wounds of Jesus’ agony? Thomas’ logical mind has been overrun by the emotional crisis of Jesus’ death.

Listen to the arrogance of disbelief, calling for proof that is offensive to the one who asks us to believe. Don’t follow Thomas in his determination to not believe. Check the emotional content of your doubt. Check the logic of your demand for proof. In humility and quiet God reveals himself. Go back to Mary’s encounter with the risen Jesus in John 20:11-18. Trace humility in the story and ask Jesus to reveal himself in your journey today.

Day 4 Thomas Believing

John 20:26-28

Now Thomas is with the disciples. He has returned to his faith community, even without faith, and Jesus shows up. What is running through Thomas’ mind with that first sight of the risen Jesus, a sight so familiar yet so unbelievable?

Talk about a most embarrassing moment! Thomas’ own words are gently given back to him. Jesus gives an open invitation to be intimate not just with the truth of the resurrection, but the reality of his suffering. That’s the point of Jesus’ resurrection, to prove the point of his redeeming death for us.

All of Thomas’ arrogance and false pride melts away with one statement, “My Lord and my God!”

Is your doubt of the resurrection rooted in an arrogance that doesn’t admit your need for redemption? Examine your heart and meditate on today’s passage. Enter into the scene as Thomas. Encounter your risen Savior and hear what words come to your lips. Let the truth pierce your heart.

Day 5 Thomas the Witness

John 20:29

Doubt, the space hanging between belief and unbelief, is precarious by nature. God has so much in mind for you on your journey of faith. Jesus tells Thomas that the blessing of living in God’s path is faith. He does not condemn Thomas’ doubt, but points him to the freedom of faith.

Jesus has a purpose ready for all of the disciples, including Thomas, and doubts only reduce the blessing of joy in life of faith. Our impact on others grows out of the Spirit born faith founded on God’s truth. Jesus looks further down the road and sees where the firm faith of the disciples is going to take the whole church in the coming years and centuries.

So how do you tend your belief without letting doubt put one foot into disbelief? The writer to the Hebrews tells us how important it is to stay stable, both feet standing in belief. Read Hebrews 10:23–25. Notice faith is planted on the faithfulness of God. Then notice how we maintain stability within our faith community. Which of the listed steps of stability are you employing? Which one not so much? Ask someone in your faith community to pray for your experience of that kind of stabilizing relationship within the household of faith. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you the blessing your firm faith will be to others.