Just as in Jesus’ days on earth, today there are all kinds of people talking about Him. Many profess to have a direct line to Jesus, and freely tell us what we should believe about Him. The only problem is that the many people who say they speak for Jesus don’t always agree on what He is saying.
Meanwhile, there are many who wonder what the deal is anyway, since it seems that Jesus never speaks to them. How do we know who to believe? One of Jesus’ Disciples had this very issue.
Unfortunately, Thomas came to be known as “doubting Thomas”, because he did not instantly believe the report of his friends that Jesus was alive.
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 finger where the nails were,
and put my hand into His Side,
I will not believe.”
John 20: 24-25
This leads many to think Thomas was a weak, “wimbling man”, but was he?
When Jesus announced that Lazarus was dead and He was going to his house, who was ready to go with Him and if necessary, die with Him? Sounds like Peter, right? Or maybe, James or John, the sons of thunder? No! It was Thomas!
Like Peter, the Rock and James and John, the sons of thunder, Thomas also had another name. He was called The Twin. References differ on why he may have been called The Twin.
The most interesting speculation is that Thomas may have physically looked like Jesus. He may have been mistaken for Him so many times that He came to be known as The Twin. While we do not know whether this is true or not, we do know that Jesus desires us to be His Twin.
He wants us to look just like Him and act just like Him. Look at some of the ways we are encouraged to be just like Jesus:
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 2:5
Be imitators of God therefore, as dearly loved children.
Ephesians 5:1
For I have given you an example,
that you should do as I have done to you.
John 13:15
He who says he abides in Him
ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
1st John 2:6
This is My Commandment,
that you love one another,
as I have loved you.
John 15:12
If you cannot imagine that you would ever look just like Jesus, wait ‘til you read this!
But we all, with unveiled face,
beholding as in a mirror,
the Glory of the Lord,
are being transformed into the same Image from Glory to Glory,
just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
2nd Corinthians 3:18
Beloved, now we are children of God;
and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be;
but we know when He is revealed, we shall be like Him,
for we shall see Him as He is.
1st John 3:2
Thomas loved Jesus. He knew Him intimately. And he was not about to believe just any report about Him. Thomas knew that Jesus would show Himself to him in person. Thomas had such a close relationship with Jesus that he could say confidently that he would not believe all the reports about Jesus, unless he could see Jesus himself.
Thomas’s statements are not ones of distrust of Jesus. They are statements of ultimate faith, that said passionately, “Jesus, I want to see You! I myself want to touch You! If it’s You, I know You will show Yourself to me!”
Do you have to rely only on the reports of others who say they have seen Jesus? Do you have to depend only on what others say about Him? Or is it possible for you to see Him and hear Him yourself?
Let Jesus answer those questions. He said,
“I will not leave you as orphans;
I will come to you.
Before long, the world will not see Me anymore,
but you will see Me!
John 14: 18-19
The one who loves Me will be loved by My Father;
and I too will love them
and show myself to them.”
John 14:21
Thomas remembered Jesus’ Words and believed. He knew he himself would see Jesus. He knew Jesus would show Himself to him! Jesus did not let him down.
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!”
John 20:26-27
Jesus will show Himself to you. He will give you all the evidence you need to know He is alive and loves you very much. But He also wants you to believe in faith with your spiritual eyes until He opens your physical eyes and shows you plainly that He is present.
When you are confused by what others are saying about Jesus, put their words next to the Words of Jesus. See if they line up. Reading what the gospel writers wrote in the Bible is a good start, but know that Jesus is present with you today. He will show Himself to you! He will talk directly to you!
And now you know the true story of Thomas, who doubted the reports of his friends, but never doubted His Very Best Friend, Jesus!
