Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 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 fingers where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.”
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!”
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.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:24-29
What obstacles do we put up that keep us from believing God? For Thomas, it was the physical Jesus with scars from his crucifixion that he could touch. How are we like Thomas? What proof do we demand of God in order to believe His promises?
Thomas could have missed out on the blessing Jesus gives to those who have not seen and yet have believed. But at Jesus’ command, Thomas does stop doubting and believes.
Jesus honors Thomas’ need to see him to believe. God will honor our need as well and meet us where we are. But God will not be tested. It is because of His persistent love for us that God reveals Himself to us in unique and personal ways.
Faith is a gift from God and, in that moment, God gives Thomas just what he needs to have faith. Jesus opens his eyes and his heart so that Thomas may receive him as his Sovereign Lord. And all generations to follow, who must believe without seeing, are blessed by this divine action.