One of Jesus’ disciples damaged his personal brand forever by being skeptical. Thomas was missing when the resurrected Jesus appeared to the other disciples. When they told Thomas they had seen the Lord, he said, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe” (John 20:25). Thomas was willing to die with this man he believed was the hope of Israel. But he was traumatized and disillusioned by the gruesome execution of his beloved Messiah.
Jesus later appeared to his disciples, including Thomas. How did Jesus treat a man who needed to touch God for himself? Jesus held out his hand and drew Thomas to his side and said, “Stop doubting and believe” (verse 27). Jesus understood that doubt isn’t the same as unbelief, that being unsure isn’t the same as being unwilling.
I can only speak for myself, but I too have moments of doubt and have needed Jesus to extend his hand to me in a very personal way. Those times of doubt have agitated me and energized me to reach out and rediscover the Savior I so desperately want to believe in. Christianity is a faith that grows when God validates what we know about him through our unique experiences with him. That is how he gets us to stop doubting and confess over and over again, “My Lord and my God!” (verse 28).
