Jesus called ordinary men who were imperfect with different backgrounds to become world leaders and world changers. They became the foundation of the Christian church and have marked history accordingly. This should encourage each one of us that, when called by God, we can do and be more than we ever hoped or imagined in our lives.
Today we come to Thomas, perhaps one of the most well-known disciples, but for the wrong reasons, and commonly known as “Doubting Thomas”. If you didn’t know anything more about Thomas, you would associate him with doubt and pessimism. Thomas was a man who was very real, who had his struggles in life, in his faith and in his spiritual walk. Yet he became a great disciple and a very strong believer.
AB Bruce in ‘The Training of the Twelve’ describes him as a ‘…man of gloomy temperament, prone to look upon the dark side of things, living in the pensive moonlight rather than in the cheerful sunlight.'
John MacArthur in ‘Twelve Ordinary Men’ writes ‘He is usually nicknamed “Doubting Thomas” but that may not be the most fitting label for him…. It is probably fair... to say that Thomas was a somewhat negative person…. He was like Eeyore in Winnie the Pooh…. Pessimism, rather than doubt, seems to have been his besetting sin…. He always seemed to anticipate the worst of everything.’
The Gospel of John gives three accounts featuring Thomas that we can learn from.
1. Jesus wants you to live with optimism, not die with pessimism (John 10:40-42; John 11:8-16; John 8:12; Isaiah 42:3; Proverbs 22:17-18 NKJV; Philippians 4:8)
2. Jesus wants to show you the way forward when you can’t see one (John 14; John 14:1-5; John 11:16; John 14:6; John 14:16-18; John 16:7)
3. Jesus wants you to stop doubting and declare your faith in Him (John 20:25-28; Hebrews 4:15; John 20:28; Romans 10:9-10; John 20:29)
Apply
1. Jesus wants you to live with optimism, not die with pessimism. We first read about Thomas during a prosperous period of Jesus’ ministry (John 10:40-42). The gospel was bearing fruit unhindered. Then came news that Jesus’ friend Lazarus was seriously ill, and Jesus decided to go back to Judea, where the religious leaders had recently tried to stone and seize Jesus. When He announced this decision to His disciples, none of them were keen (John 11:8-16, John 8:12). So, when Jesus announced his decision to return to Judea, the disciples were naturally worried. To reassure them he was effectively saying: ‘yes, we’re heading back into dangerous territory, but if you walk with me you’ve got nothing to be afraid of. Lazarus, is dead but you’re going to be amazed by what I do there.’ Unfortunately, it sounds like only words Thomas had heard were ‘dead’ and ‘go’. How did he miss all Jesus’ words of encouragement? He was paying too much attention to his own heavy thoughts instead of giving full attention to Jesus’ words. Pessimism didn’t just subdue Thomas’ mood, it robbed him of belief in the words of his rabbi. Maybe you are struggling with doubts. Well Jesus dealt gently with him (Isaiah 42:3). If you need to overcome pessimism, you need to come close to Jesus. Don’t try to figure things out by yourself: open your heart to Him. And if you want to live with optimism, there are two simple, practical things you need to do with your thought life. You must listen more to the words of Jesus that you listen to your thoughts of doubt (Proverbs 22:17-18 NKJV) and meditate on the good rather than the bad (Philippians 4:8).
2. Jesus wants to show you the way forward when you can’t see one. The next time we read about Thomas is during Jesus’ last supper with His disciples (John 14). Jesus had just revealed that one of the twelve was about to betray Him, that He was going away somewhere that they couldn’t follow, and that Peter was going to disown Him. The shock in the room must have been written on all their faces (John 14:1-5). The heaviness in Thomas’ heart was clear through his words in verse 5: Jesus was about to leave them, and he felt lost. He was a man in despair, not asking Jesus for guidance, just lamenting the impossibility of the task. These words reveal Thomas’ negativity again, but they also show the depth of his devotion to Jesus. Thomas would have rather died with Jesus than live without Him (John 11:16). Thomas didn’t know how to carry on without the personal guidance of Jesus in his life every day. When you can’t see the way forward, you need to stick with Jesus every day (John 14:6). He is the Way; you need to keep walking and talking with Him. He is the Truth; you need to keep reading His Words. He is the Life; you need His presence and power inside you. For Thomas this probably wasn’t making much sense. How could he rely on Jesus if He wasn’t going to be there any more? Well, if like Thomas you can’t see the way forward, come to Jesus and let him send you the Holy Spirit to be your guiding presence every day (John 14:16-18; John 16:7).
3. Jesus wants you to stop doubting and declare your faith in Him. After Jesus’ death and resurrection, we find Thomas at his very lowest. He was so deep in grief and despair that he had started to withdraw from the other disciples. He’d missed out on Jesus’ first appearance to the rest of them. Now he just couldn’t take in what they were all trying to tell him (John 20:25-28). John MacArthur (Twelve Ordinary Men) writes that Thomas’ unbelief “…was provoked by grief, brokenheartedness, uncertainty, and the pain of loneliness. No one could feel the way Thomas felt unless he loved Jesus the way Thomas loved Him.” So Jesus was tender with him. He understands our weaknesses (Hebrews 4:15). So He understands our doubt. He sympathises with our uncertainty. He is patient with our pessimism.” We see the amazing mercy of Jesus in this and the response it drew from Thomas (John 20:28). This was the moment of turnaround in Thomas’ life, when he opened his mouth and declared his faith. Thomas looked upon the One who had announced that He had the authority to lay down His life and take it up again, and now He’d done it. They’d all seen that Jesus was not just a powerful prophet or miracle-worker but much more. Stood before Thomas was the true and living God over whom death held no power. As Thomas beheld Him, all doubt and despair evaporated. Now his heart leaped, his faith soared, and his lips exploded with praise (Romans 10:9-10). Blessed are those who haven’t seen and yet believed (John 20:29). Today you can be blessed. Whatever your doubts, whatever setbacks you’ve had, however pessimistic things may look in life. No matter what darkness you walk through, believe in Jesus. Believe and declare that Jesus Christ is the son of God. Believe in His words. Believe His love. Believe He hears you when you call to Him. Believe in Him. So then this day, if that’s what you say, declare it. And if you’ve never yet come to that, now is your moment: leave your doubts and fears aside, come to the Lord who is tender, kind, and understands us. We’re all different but get out of doubt. Doubt will kill you; it will kill your spirit. But when you believe in the Lord and you put your trust in Him, you will be saved. Today is the day to leave your doubts aside and put your full trust in the Lord who will never let you down.
