The story of Doubting Thomas found in John 20:24-29 is a powerful post-resurrection account that teaches us several important lessons. The story of Thomas is like our own personal story.
What lessons can we learn from this story?
First, Jesus welcomes our doubts.
It is okay to have doubts. The Bible is full of stories of people who expressed their doubts but God welcomed them. God wants us to have a conversation with Him.
Thomas struggled to believe that Jesus had risen from the dead until he saw and touched the wounds of Jesus. This shows that doubts and questions are a natural part of our human experience. We may have doubts about God’s existence, His love for us, or His plans for our lives. The story of Doubting Thomas teaches us that it is okay to express our doubts because Jesus is patient with us as we seek answers.
Second, Jesus meets us wherever we are.
When Thomas expressed his doubts and desire to see the wounds, Jesus did not condemn or reject him. Instead, Jesus appeared to Thomas and allowed him to touch His wounds. This shows us that Jesus meets us where we are, even in our doubts and struggles. He understands our weaknesses and wants to help us overcome them.
This tells us that we do not need to have everything figured out or have all the answers before we come to Jesus. He is always ready to meet us where we are and help us grow in our faith in Him.
Third, we need to declare that Jesus is our Lord and God.
When Thomas saw Jesus and touched His wounds, he exclaimed, “My Lord and my God!” This was a powerful declaration of faith.
Our faith requires action on our part. We need to declare that Jesus is our Lord and God. This means that we obey the commands of Jesus and turn over everything to Him.
The story of Doubting Thomas teaches us that doubts are normal, Jesus meets us where we are, and we need to declare that Jesus is our Lord and God. When we understand these lessons, we can grow in our faith and deepen our relationship with Jesus.
May God bless us all!
Sincerely,
Rev. Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Director, Office of Communications