Quick Read #34: – A Gift from Didymus

Thomas said unto him, Lord, we know not where you go; and how can we know the way? Jesus said unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes unto the Father, but by me. If you had known me, you should have known my Father also: and from henceforth you know him, and have seen him. (John 14:5-7)

It was through Thomas, Jesus informed us of two important things about Him; He is the Way, the Truth and Life, and He and the Father are one. On this occasion, Jesus had appealed to his rational mind, but for Thomas it was not enough. His need for empirical proof, coupled with an obstinate mind, lay at the heart of his inability to completely believe; though his practicality drew from him the greatest certainty when fully convinced.

Apart from John’s brief record there is little about Thomas in the Gospels. But we can determine, Thomas looked at life logically, was a man of courage and loyalty with a genuine affection for Jesus. A good example is the departure to Bethany home of sisters Mary and Martha. Thomas stood firm in opposition his brethren who in fear of the Jews sought to discourage Jesus from going saying: let us go also that we may die with Him. (John 11:16) 

The day of the Crucifixion was a hard time for them all. Peter denied he knew Jesus and apart from John, there is no record of any Apostles in attendance. Having removed himself, Thomas was also not present when Jesus first appeared to the others after He had risen, even though he was earlier willing to die with his teacher and friend.

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 nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. (John 20:24-25) 

Eight days later when he was with them, Jesus again appeared in the shuttered room. Thomas, who would not believe except through personal scrutiny, was forever changed when Jesus said: Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My LORD and my God. Jesus said, Thomas, because thou has seen me, thou have believed: blessed they that have not seen, and have believed. (John 20:27-29)

After the Ascension and with the Spirit of Jesus now alive in him, Thomas journeyed to Parthia and planted churches in Mesopotamia. He also went on to India, and most agree he was martyred at Chennai around 72AD. Today, the Apostle is greatly revered by Christians throughout the region also in Orthodox, Syrian and Coptic communities; his impact on the area was considerable.

It’s almost two thousand years since that remarkable day when Thomas declared Jesus is LORD and God of all. And out of his conviction, we also have been given a gift and sanctified by Jesus directly:

blessed they that have not seen, and have believed. (John 20:29)

Thomas is a most striking example that belief will overcome all manner of doubt. Like Paul who was turned in an instant, Thomas was also chosen to proclaim the truth of Jesus, LORD and Christ. It can reasonably be said that both were changed by the Spirit of God in the twinkling of an eye. And while the Apostles all fulfilled their missions to take the Gospel to the nations, Scripture recounts only four declared the fullness of the Godhead incarnate, and the divinity of Jesus Christ in the New Testament: Peter, Paul and John, but Thomas was the first…

In love and peace,

James