August 2, 2026: Thomas the Hesitant Disciple | John 11:14-16, John 14:5-8, John 20:24-29, John 21:1-2

That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:7-9).

He picked twelve men, specifically chosen for a job they individually were uniquely qualified to do.  They were not social elites, well educated, or financially viable.  They were fishermen, tax collectors,  just regular men eking out a living. They held no extraordinary influence, respect, or prestige.  Yet Jesus picked each one of the twelve, knowing exactly what He intended and what they were capable of doing.  We read quickly over the names in the text of scripture.  Yet these men were mere men.  Why did Jesus pick them? They spread His word and became examples for us!

In today’s lesson, we study the disciple Thomas Didymus.  His name means “twin.”  Was he a twin?  Who was his twin?  There is a lot of scholarly debate on that subject and truly, no one knows for certain.  What we do know is that in the pages of scripture we can see Thomas’ character. His work was important.  His example is noteworthy.   Since God uses ordinary people, how will He use you?

John 11:14-16

Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him. Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.

We first see Thomas’ name in scripture simply listed as one of the twelve.  We do not hear where he was selected or how he came to be a disciple. In fact, it is only in the book of John that we see his personality and his major role and spiritual action.  

By the time of this encounter, the religious leaders are pursuing Jesus to kill him.  They have been unsuccessful in trapping Jesus by His words or by His deeds. It is a very dangerous time. Word has been sent to Jesus that His friend Lazarus is ill. 

Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby. (John 11:1-4). 

Jesus purposely tarries, for the glory of both God and the Son of God,  and does not run to Lazarus immediately.   Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was. Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again. (John 11: 5-7).

Jesus then decides to head toward Bethany, where the family resides.  They know well that there are plots to kill Jesus.  For His safety, the disciples attempt to talk Him out of walking straight into danger. 

It is Thomas who declares that if we cannot change His mind about going, we will go with Him and die also! Despite the apparent trouble and the expected consequences, Thomas was willing to die in his loyalty to Jesus. He rallies the others to feel the same. 

How easy it is to timidly serve rather than to boldly declare our allegiance to the Son of God.  Thomas shows us strength of belief.  He is committed.  He is protective. He is willing to sacrifice himself.  Ironic that this strength of his character is not what many of us think of when we remember Thomas. 

John 14: 5-8

Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us.

Jesus is sharing with his team of disciples the things that are about to happen.  Things that will both be unbelievable and terrifying to them.  Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you. (John 13:33).

He explains with kindness and loving words that the time has come; His purpose is to be fulfilled. What He is about to do, they cannot do for Him, and they should not want to prevent Him. 

 He will be leaving the disciples in obedience to His Father.  Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. (John 14:1-4).

The graciousness of His words cannot be overlooked.  Jesus has spent three and a half years telling them, showing them, and teaching them about Himself.   He simply asks them to trust Him.  To believe Him. He will leave, but He will come back for them.  Thomas responds with a heartbroken sincerity.  “We don’t know where you are going?  How do we know the way?”  Jesus’ answer to Thomas is the same as His answer to us.   Jesus is the way.  Jesus is the truth.  Jesus is the life.  They felt uncertainty and despair.  The fact is, they will gain much more than they can imagine by His death, burial, and resurrection.  

Can you feel the uncertainty and pleading love in the heart of Thomas as he speaks? He doesn’t understand.  None of them really do.  We look back and understand the intent of Jesus’ word. Thomas does not have that advantage. They are all broken-hearted and confused. Jesus, in loving kindness, asked them to remember who He is and trust His plan.  In the midst of our own upheavals and fears, can we do the same?

John 20: 24-29

But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

Jesus has been crucified, buried, and resurrected.  Thomas was not present when Jesus appeared after His resurrection to the other disciples.  Thomas hears their words and sees their excitement.  He wants to know for himself.  Coming back to life after being dead and buried for three days is a feat that had never been done before, nor since.  Those that Jesus had quickened back to life during His ministry died later on.  Thomas simply  is not going to believe their story until he sees it for himself.  This is where Thomas is labeled a doubter. 

We know Thomas loved the Lord Jesus. We know he believed Jesus.  What Thomas didn’t understand was the resurrection from the dead, even though he heard it from Jesus himself. Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. (John 10: 17-18).

We resist believing in what we can’t see, and yet that is exactly what faith is.   Some doubt God. Does He exist? We doubt that His word is truth. Did He really mean that? We doubt His plan or His purpose in our life. Why would He care about me? Satan’s tactics haven’t changed.  He is an accuser.  He is a liar and the father of all lies. What Thomas asks is what we often ask for ourselves. Lord, make yourself known to me. When something seems impossible, show me.  

 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

Jesus didn’t owe Thomas anything.  He didn’t have to appear to the disciples again when Thomas was there.  But he did.   Jesus offered Thomas to do exactly what Thomas had asked - to see the nail prints to touch the wounded side. Scripture indicates that seeing, Thomas believed. 

 Nothing is done without purpose. With this profession came a wonderful message to all of us. We are those who have not seen and yet believe. Jesus knew about all the believers that followed even up to today. Jesus knew His children would also hesitate and doubt.  Jesus assures us that He can be trusted.  He means what He says.  He will do what He promised. 

John will go on to write that it is our duty to question the things we are told - especially when it comes to the instruction of God. 

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. (1 John 4: 1-3). 

John 21: 1-2

After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself.There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples.

As we end the book of John we see Thomas still among the disciples as they try to figure out what to do next.  He didn’t run away or quit.  Thomas remained loyal. There is no other scripture reference to Thomas after this passage. 

Church tradition tells us that Thomas was one of the first missionaries in the   first century church. Thomas is said to have made it all the way to India and was teaching about Jesus there as early as 52AD.  It is recorded that he died a martyr, killed by a lance, around 72 AD in Mylapore, India.  He is known there as the Apostle of India. There was a Book of Thomas written in the year 160-200AD.  It was excluded from the biblical canon because it was not considered written by Thomas (as an eyewitness), it wasn’t written until almost 200 years after the resurrection, and it contained many ideas contrary to the established writers and written laws of God. 

Summary

 Did doubting result in Thomas’ expulsion from being a disciple of the faith?  No.  Did Jesus love him less because he questioned?  No.  Our hearts and our minds are an open book to the God that created the universe. 

Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. (Mark 9:23-24). Let this be our wisdom.  Let us search his word and ask for His answers. Pray for knowledge, wisdom, and understanding.  Pray that you are led away from temptation, distractions, and deceits.  We will question.  We will doubt. How we handle our questions is the lesson.  There is blessing in our loyalty and trust in Jesus, the Word of God.  

Thank you for studying with us! God bless!