Jesus meets honest doubt with patience and invites us to believe.
“Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.”John 20:27 (KJV)
What does “Believing” mean in John 20:27?
Thomas had missed the first meeting and said he would not believe without seeing for himself. A week later, Jesus invites him to touch His hands and side, and to be not faithless, but believing.
Going deeper
Thomas is often remembered as the one who doubted, but look at what Jesus does with him. He does not turn away. A week later, He comes again, seeks Thomas out, and offers exactly the proof Thomas had asked for. Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands. It is a striking picture of patience. Jesus does not shame honest questions. He answers them, and then He gently calls Thomas to belief.
If you have questions about faith, you are not disqualified. Doubt that is honest and looking for answers is different from a heart closed to God. Bring your questions to Him, and to trusted friends and Scripture. Then take the next step of trust that you can take. Thomas's story ends with the strongest confession in the Gospel, and it began with a person who was willing to say, I need more. Faith can grow from there. He is patient with us in the same way.
Reflect
What honest question about faith could you bring to Jesus today?
Pray
Lord Jesus, thank You for being patient with my doubts. Answer my questions, and lead me into deeper trust in You. In Jesus' name, amen.
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