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Jesus “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!’” (John 20:27-28)
We see in these early verses of John 20, various references to belief – belief in the other disciple, in verse 8; belief in Mary, verse 16; and belief in the disciples of verse 19. But in Thomas, disbelief is highlighted and only be rectified by his desire for physical proof. Thomas provides for disciples, a reassuring example of doubt. Who not only came to participate in the events of an early church in Jerusalem but also took (according to fairly reliable tradition) the gospel to India where he also laid down his life for Jesus. It is noticeable that despite Thomas’ doubt, Jesus not only heard his desire for physical proof but pursued him and instructed him to reach out his hand in faith, verse 26. You may experience doubt and it would be so much easier if Jesus could simply walk in the room. To this physically blind faith Jesus says, “blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (29) But reach out to Jesus, like Thomas did, asking that the Holy Spirit will reveal God’s truth to you and through the reading of His Word.