“THOMAS: A MAN WHO QUESTIONED EVERYTHING”

(John 14:4-6, John 20:24-28)

There is a very common occurrence in life faced by all human beings. From the moment of early childhood to the demise of life itself, people find the need to question events, statements and even feelings. Yet, things are not always what they appear to be. For example, when people question things that are said or done, many times those inquiries are motivated out of a real desire to know what led up to something that happened, that was said or that was felt. But there are also times the person posing the question is not really interested in a rational explanation at all. In such a case, even though a logical answer is given for the topic questioned, it is still not believed.

Welcome to the human race! Humans find all sorts of ways to be less than honest when it comes to life. There are innumerable times when people question things in order to seem to be interested in an issue. Yet, when push comes to shove, they could care less. At times, on the political scene, a news reporter will ask what appears to be a serious question. But after getting the question answered they don’t respect the answer. Instead they interpret a fallacy from the given response based on their own personal opinion. Yet another example are students who asks questions of their teacher only as an attempt to impress the teacher with their questions, rather than really wanting an answer.

All parents remember the time of life when their little one incessantly asked question after question. Often, following a solid hour of such badgering, the parent would finally request the inquisitive tot to go to his room or at least do something that stopped the constant barrage of questions. Though this stage of life is an attempt, by a child, to learn to participate in meaningful conversation, it can get old real quick!

People who have a bent toward questioning things quickly find out that an inquisitive nature is not endearing to many folk. Having gone through the process of asking questions as a way of life, one who questions things can discover they have a bad reputation. In such instances they are considered “doubters” at best, and “troublemakers” at worst. I want you to know that if someone has honest, serious questions about an event, statement or feeling, they are a person of integrity and sincere motivation. All of this lead-in brings us to a disciple of Jesus named Thomas. He also had a second name: Didymus, in the Greek language. This second name is translated “twin” and is mentioned in John 11:16, 20:24 and 21:2. There has been a lot of speculation as to who his twin might have been but the Bible does not bring any light to this situation. Suffice it to say, a man who was someone’s twin becomes one of the twelve Jesus chose to follow Him.

We do know that the popular nickname given to Thomas in Christendom is incorrect! Down through the centuries of Church history this disciple is regularly called “Doubting Thomas”. Though it is literally correct, such a use of his name brings with it a negative connotation. I submit to you that this was not really a characteristic of this man, in spite of what Christians have used to label him. We are going to visit two specific New Testament Scriptures that highlight pointed interactions between Jesus and Thomas. In neither case does Jesus rebuke this disciple for his tendency to question things.

(John 14:4-6)

I.                  THOMAS QUESTIONS HIS LORD CONCERNING HIS LEAVING THEM!

As people living centuries later than Jesus’ time, we have much we owe to Thomas. Jesus tells His disciples in John 14 that He is going to be leaving them and He does not want them worried or concerned about His upcoming absence. He tells them to “trust in me”. (v. 1) He then tells them that He is going to prepare a place for them and then return to take them with Him. He concludes this brief instruction with the statement, “You know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas tells Jesus that the disciples do not know the way. Do you see the honesty when he talks to his mentor?

This is why I said that our Lord did not rebuke His disciple! Instead Jesus gave additional information to Thomas in order to answer the query. Jesus did not give out such additional clarification when the Pharisees, Sadducees or the teachers of the Law asked for answers from Him in His earthly ministry. Our Lord already knew they were not honest in their questioning. But He did give further data to “The Twin” when he asked for more. Jesus knew this man’s heart! He did not see a negative doubter, as we Christians have labeled him. Instead, he saw one who had genuine questions. Because of this interchange we have verse 6, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me.” It is apparent that the other disciples were at the same confusion point in their assessment of the Lord’s teaching. It was incumbent on this disciple, who questioned everything, to put it into words and ask for further information from the rabbi they were following. This is not a negative trait of Thomas but, rather, an area where he needed to change. There is a major difference in such thinking. Just as each of the disciples had an individual characteristic which needed to be altered, so we see the need for Thomas to grow in regard to his “trust of Jesus” as instructed in verse 1. This enables us to view this disciple correctly.

(John 20:24-28)

II.               THOMAS QUESTIONS THE LORD CONCERNING HIS RESURRECTION!

In verse 24 of chapter 20 we learn that Jesus has already appeared to the disciples. For some reason, Thomas wasn’t with them. In verse 21 the other 10 disciples announce to Thomas that they have seen the Lord’s resurrected body. Thomas knows these men well. He has been a part of their group for three years. Yet, he also knows the difference between truth and fiction. He knows the difference between wishful thinking and sound reason. In verse 25 Thomas goes on record. He states, without any pretense of “token doubt” that he must have evidence if he is to believe. Notice what he says. “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 it.” You might question me about my view concerning Thomas, but I ask you to see two features in this section of Scripture.

First of all, a week later Jesus once again appears to His disciples. At this instance it becomes obvious the purpose of this second appearance of the Lord was for Thomas’ benefit. The doors were still locked according to verse 26. Immediately following the “Shalom” greeting of our Lord, Thomas gets the Lord’s undivided attention! Jesus doesn’t chit-chat with him. He comes straight to the point and says to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” (v. 27). There you have it! Jesus calls Thomas a man who doubted. Yet, God, the Son shows His understanding that this disciple was not putting on a façade. Therefore, He “nips the problem in the bud”. Verse 14:1 has Jesus instructing His disciples to “Trust in me”. Now it comes down to the nitty-gritty. Here is the marked changed that must occur in this man of many questions. Jesus in essence tells Thomas, “You have gotten to know me by following me for three years. Now grow in spiritual maturity so that you can believe in Me instead of questioning everything.”

Do you see the response of this disciple to the Lord’s approach? Jesus actually fulfilled the requirements of Thomas question to the nth detail. He made Thomas touch the nail prints and also His wounded side. There was therefore, a show of Jesus’ knowledge of the specifics Thomas demanded in order for him to believe.

Second of all, Jesus finishes His lesson to the disciples by stating, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed (mature, complete) are those who have not seen me and yet have believed.” (Verse 29) It is ludicrous, even completely tragic, when someone has known the Lord for years and still has not grown to a place of trusting God IN EVERY SINGLE SITUATION AND DETAIL OF LIFE. For a Christian of years to never grow into clear trust in the Lord, for any and everything in life, is incomprehensible! How is it possible for someone to have known the Lord for years, allowing Him to be a part of every dimension of their life, YET, they will not trust God any more than they did at the moment they were a “baby in their faith”. Thomas was a questioner. But when he was confronted with the reality of God and God’s power, he responded “My Lord and my God!” Thomas was stating that he had the evidence to place God at the center of every single dimension of his life. There would be no more doubt. Thomas would trust God with every fiber of his being. No more worry! No more doubt! No more distrust!  

Most church historians fill in the blanks concerning this apostle by stating that, from the moment of the Lord’s appearance to him in the upper room until his martyrdom for his Lord, he was one of the most fiercely loyal of the apostles. Earlier on, John 11:1-16 established the prediction which Jesus gave concerning His impending death. In the last of these verses Thomas shows his loyalty by announcing he is ready to die with his Lord. Well, he was true to the Lord to the end! History has it that he was the only apostle who traveled out of the Roman Empire. He actually died a martyr in India at the hands of a group of people who rejected Christianity.

Thomas changed! He let go of worry, distrust and the need to question everything. In its place he put his complete trust and confidence in his Lord. THE QUESTIONER BECAME CONVINCED! How about you? Do you trust the Lord in every single dimension of your life? What will it take for God to have your obedience? If Thomas could change, why can’t you? I mean come on now, “Trust in the Lord, with all your heart. Lean not on your own understanding. In ALL your ways acknowledge Him. Then He will direct your paths! (Proverbs 3:5-6)