What Can Doubt Cost You?

[SDG]

6. Doubting Thomas

We ALL have a measure of faith, yet we also always, if you are HUMAN, wrestle with different levels or forms of doubt.

Thomas is given a bad rap for being a doubter, too. The term "DOUBTING THOMAS" has a negative connotation.

Simply because he asked "WHAT IF"??? Did Jesus condemn him because he needed to see to believe.

Thomas ....

He was open minded, in his doubt, that perhaps this was the Risen Lord. He just needed some proof. He was willing to believe something after examining the facts. A close minded person, unbeliever, would not even look at the facts or would just deny them.

Thomas was very much a believer even when he doubted. In a previous instance, Jesus has great admiration for Thomas.

The first story about Thomas we encounter is in chapter 11 of John. It is the story of Jesus’ raising Lazarus from the dead. Do you remember? Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus that their brother Lazarus was ill in Bethany. When Jesus got ready to go there the disciples threw a fit. They said, “Whoa Jesus. Don’t you remember the last time you were there you almost got stoned to death. And now you want us to go back there again. Jesus, don’t go there!”



Jesus told them flatly that Lazarus was no longer ill, but dead. Well if they were sort of thinking about risking their lives to go with Jesus to save a sick Lazarus, they sure weren’t going to risk their lives for a dead Lazarus.

In the midst of all this resistance, it is Thomas who speaks up and says to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” To make such a statement required great faith in Jesus--and courage. Thomas was willing to lay down his life for Jesus. Why not call him Courageous Thomas instead of Doubting Thomas? Because of his courage, he and the disciples got to witness the miracle of Lazarus’ resurrection. Sort of makes you wonder why Thomas would have trouble with Jesus’ resurrection if he had witnessed the raising of Lazarus…. Yet he did.

What is Jesus reaction ???... definitely not the reaction we would have had w/ him ... or the disappointed religious stares we'd give him ...

There is no condemnation for his doubt rather Christ asks a fair question and acknowledges that Thomas DID BELIEVE.

All Jesus says:

Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe."

Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my God!"

Jesus said to him, "Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed."

Thomas was honest about his doubt ... and when he brought his doubt to Jesus ... he's rewarded w/ the unprecedented honor of touching his side and his scarred hands. His doubt in the hands of the Master is transformed to faith in His Deity.