Thomas said unto him, Lord, we know not where thou goes; and how can we know the way?
Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes 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. (John 14:5-7)
Apart from John’s brief record, there is little about Thomas in the Gospels, even if he is one of the most interesting Apostles. Possessed of little natural enthusiasm for things spiritual, Thomas was inclined to look at life logically, yet was a man of unyielding courage and generosity. With his confused faith, there was however a genuine affection and patronage for his teacher. Though it seems he was typical of that common trait, which made compromise difficult.
An example of his loyalty being stronger than his fear is seen in the departure to Bethany, home of Mary and Martha. Thomas was the only one to resist the others, who in dread of the Pharisees, sought to discourage Jesus from going. Thomas to the contrary stood firm, saying; let us go also that we may die with Him. (John 11:16) We can take from this, his unyielding support for Jesus, reminiscent of Peter at Gethsemane. However, when it came into conflict with spiritual matters, Thomas found it trying, being the skeptic he was and for the time being, Jesus really was the stone of stumbling Isaiah had prophesied.
Thomas was by nature, one who came to understanding though the weighing of evidence; belief and acceptance being determined by what his senses revealed. The need of empirical proof, in tandem with an obstinate mind, lay at the heart of his challenge pertaining to faith. It was his pragmatism, which saw him separate himself from the others regarding the resurrection; but this practicality also drew from him the greatest and fullest conviction.
It was through Thomas, Jesus informed us of two of the most important things concerning Him; He is Life and Truth, and He and the Father are one: you know him, and have seen him. On this occasion in John’s Gospel, Jesus appealed to his rational mind giving Himself as evidence, but it was not enough. Philip immediately seized upon the opportunity, asking Jesus to show them the Father when Thomas failed to respond. While it may appear Thomas was not the only skeptic among them, Philip was in fact a true believer, having been called by Jesus in person to follow Him. Philip straight away sought out Nathanael saying:
We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets did write. (John 1:45)
Nathanael, as we read was at once convinced, but Thomas still had a way to go.
The Crucifixion was a truly difficult time for them all. Peter denied he was one of them, though his Galilean accent gave him away. Apart from John, there is no record of any of the Apostles in attendance, including Thomas who had earlier said he was ready to die for his teacher and friend. The Disciples had taken refuge as they began to deal with the real test of faith that lay ahead, but Didymus the twin had removed himself and was not among them.
Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst and saith unto them, Peace unto you. And, when he had so said, he showed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. (John 20:19-20)
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, Thomas was to face up to his words when Jesus again appeared to them all in the closed room. Thomas the skeptic, the man who needed to question everything, the man who did not believe except through the witness of his senses, was to be irrevocably changed for the rest of his days. The time had arrived for faith to begin.
Then said he to Thomas, 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 to him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed they that have not seen, and have believed. (John 20:27-29)
Yet, we can only imagine the joy his companions felt on that day.
Thomas, the new man of faith, was to see Jesus on two more occasions following his conviction; on the shore of the Sea of Tiberias, and at the time of His Ascension. Luke records at the meeting on the shore, Jesus open their minds so they might understand the Law of Moses, and the Prophets, and the Psalms about Him in Scripture. (Luke 24) Jesus then told them to wait in Jerusalem for the power of His Holy Spirit to be installed in them all, where the eleven remained attending to fasting, prayer and the election of Mathias.
In Matthew’s Gospel, we see Jesus commanding the Apostles to; go not the way of the gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: but go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. And as ye go, preach saying, the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. (Mat 10:5-7)
With his new found zeal, Thomas of the tribe of Asher, would soon journey to Parthia and plant Churches across Babylonia. Legend has it; he also went to India though there is considerable disagreement between historians concerning his time there. But all are agreed he worked through much of Mesopotamia, and parts of Greece and Macedonia to take the Gospel of Salvation to his kin. Today, Thomas is greatly revered in Orthodox, Syrian, and Coptic Churches, his impact on the region, then and now, cannot be understated.
Thomas carried the Gospel to the descendants of the ten tribes, thereby walking in the steps Jesus had set for them all.
Almost two thousand years have passed since that remarkable day of assurance and faith. We are now set apart, due his sincerity shown and declaration made, that Jesus is LORD and God of all. From that moment, having not seen, all that believe are especially blessed. This gift through Thomas sustains us as we await our eternal reward. Yet, it is in some ways unfortunate that this great Apostle is still known by the term he is; for it was Thomas, who declared before the Holy Spirit was even upon them: Jesus is Almighty God. He is the most striking and practical example that in the end, belief will conquer all.
In love and peace as always,
James