Our Demands - by Bec Bonython

John 20:24-29 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.”

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.”

Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Poor old Thomas. It seems that’s all he’s known for – as Doubting Thomas.  Thomas the doubter.  And this nickname has stuck with him for centuries.  

Thomas refused to believe the testimony of many of his own friends who had actually seen Jesus a week earlier. Thomas wanted hard evidence. Not only to be able to Jesus’ scars, but to touch them and feel them. He refused to believe without a direct personal experience. Thomas was strong minded but he was also honest.  

Isn’t it comforting to know that the bible is full of people just like you and me. I think we all have a little bit of Thomas in us don’t we.  We doubt when we:

·         Demand for a voice, or vision or revelation to prove our faith?

·         Demand answers to difficult questions and to our whys?

·         Demand what people think of as success, in our work of Jesus?

·         Demand that others support us in our faith?

And yet Jesus’ response is beautiful. Jesus knew what Thomas was thinking. He knew about his doubts, just like God knows about ours.  Jesus didn’t condemn or judge. He didn’t rebuke or reprimand him.  He didn’t demand that Thomas believe just because he had heard it from the others.

No. Instead, Jesus wanted to move Thomas from a posture of doubt and unbelief to a position of faith and belief.

Jesus gave Thomas what he asked for even though He didn’t have to.  And with so much love and grace and kindness, Jesus showed Thomas His hands and side, and asked him to stop doubting and believe.

Interestingly, when we read the text, Thomas didn’t even end up doing what he had so strongly demanded. Scripture doesn’t mention him poking and prodding Jesus at all. He just needed to be in Jesus’ presence to believe, as he exclaims “My Lord and my God!”

Today, we don’t have the opportunity of being able see Jesus face-to-face for ourselves, however the truth still remains. Doubt diminishes as we life our life in the presence of the Lord - by reading our bible, spending time in prayer, worshipping Him, speaking about Him and honouring Him.  Because as we do this it gives opportunity for Jesus to reveal Himself to us, our faith increases, and we are blessed because of it.

Thomas' request was a pivotal moment in the history of the gospel as believers transitioned from a "seeing and believing" eye-witness account of Jesus' death and resurrection, to a faith based approach. We can thank Thomas for this moment as he enquired and looked to Jesus. 

If you need assurance, look to the scars of Jesus and take a moment to remember.  They are evidence of His love, of His sacrifice, of His victory and of His resurrection.