What Benefits Are Your Doubts?

Which apostle do you think gets the worst rap, the one who needs a good PR agent?

My preference for this award goes to Thomas, Didymus, whose name means twin. He is known for one statement of incredulity. The resurrected Jesus appeared to the other apostles in the upper room. Thomas missed the first Sunday night church service. That left him with a steep learning curve. The other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” Being a pragmatist he wanted proof. His response to them was, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” (John 20:25) That is about all most know about Thomas.

Soon thereafter Jesus appeared again. This time Thomas was present. Jesus offered this proof to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” Thomas didn’t do it, instead he fell on his face before Jesus and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:26 – 28) Thomas fought with His fears and faith won.

Wow! Thomas became the first apostle to call Jesus, God. No doubt there.

On an earlier occasion Thomas expressed great faith. Jesus told His disciples He was going to Jerusalem. They pleaded with Him not to go because they knew the Jews sought to stone Him. Thomas said, “Let us also go, that we may die with Him.” (John 11:16) Now, that is faith. 

Thomas struggled his way through the forest of his doubts to become a giant of the faith.

Secular records indicate Thomas took Jesus at His word to go to all nations and went to India where he established churches, suffering greatly as he did. One day while he was on his knees praying soldiers of King Mizdi allegedly thrust a lance through him.

To simply label Thomas a doubter is neither fair to him, nor does it take into full account the Scriptural teaching regarding him. I can not consider him a doubter because he expressed doubt on one occasion. He doubted, but he was not a doubter.

Candidly, I never doubt, but I do have many questions for which I seek answers, all the while having complete faith there are answers. I just don’t have the answers yet. Questions can purify and enrich our faith.

If you have doubts, keep struggling your way through them. Metaphorically speaking, Jesus will show you his nail prints. 

This is shared in order to pose the question, what acts of devotion are you engaging in that demonstrate your faith. How are you known?