24Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he 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." 26Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." 27Then he 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." 28Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" 29Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." 30Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31but 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.
John 20:24-31 ESV
The central historical claim of our faith is that Jesus rose from the dead. Every actual Christian believes Jesus died on the cross for their sins. Every actual Christian believes that Jesus visibly and physically came out of the grave alive. That defines a Christian the way blond hair looks one way and not any other. If you don’t believe in the visible, bodily resurrection of Jesus, you are in no sense of the word a Christian. You can’t have salvation through Jesus without that belief in His resurrection.
We must pause to talk about doubt. I’ve never been to a funeral where a dead person returned to life. I’ve never met anyone who claims to have seen a resurrection (though I’ve heard a few third hand stories). As far as any kind of action at the front of the room where the casket is, I’ve never seen a whisper. No one I’ve ever known has seen a twitch or a murmur at a funeral. I’ve been in situations where I was praying for a miracle like that. I’ve never seen it happen. It seems, at a glance, impossible. Even CPR is only good up to a point. When real death occurs, it is always a one-way street.
Thus, while we believe in the resurrection, our experience tells us something quite contrary to what the disciples observed with Jesus. There are moments of doubt, quite naturally. Moments when it feels like, “This is madness - this never happens and couldn’t have happened.” Sometimes we are fearful that among Christians we must never voice any doubt, much less doubt about the central issue to the Christian faith. The sad thing is that doubt is never overcome by suppression or pretense. It is only overcome in the light of conversation, prayer, and consideration.
Into our doubts comes the story of Thomas. Thomas missed the first Easter. I have no idea where he was, or why he missed it. He was simply absent without explanation. He did have the opportunity to hear the accounts of perhaps every single person who observed Jesus on the first Easter. Perhaps due to the gruesome nature of the death of Jesus (my guess), Thomas was inconsolable. None of their words encouraged him. As you see above, he swore an oath that nothing could convince him short of physical touching of the wounds which were so pronounced the last time he saw Jesus.
We find Jesus appearing before Thomas and the rest, and taking time to invite Thomas to fulfill his oath. Jesus is intentional in offering the opportunity. We don’t know whether Thomas did so or not. He calls Jesus his Lord and God. Thomas believes in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.
Does it help you any to know that one Bible character had doubt? Does it help you to know that Jesus helped him, and allowed him to stick around? Who can pray with you about your doubts? Who can hear them and discuss them with you? You are not doomed to a life of uncertainty forever. Your faith can grow, and your confidence in God can help you believe day by day with all Christians throughout time, that our Lord Jesus did in fact, rise from the dead.
In Him,
Don