Making Sure

Making Sure

Q: Which disciple doubted because he wasn’t with the others when Jesus appeared to them?

• a. Peter
• b. Thomas
• c. Matthew

When Jesus appeared to the disciples after his resurrection, one disciple wasn’t there. When he was told about Jesus’ visit by the other disciples, he was reluctant to believe. He wanted to see for himself. This has led to his being labeled Doubting Thomas. However, the fact he doubted isn’t as important as the fact that Thomas was seeking the truth.

Doubting isn’t always a bad thing. It makes you think more about something. You try to get the facts so you can decide for yourself. Doubt can lead you on a journey to truth.

Thomas didn’t stay a doubter. When Thomas saw Jesus, he believed. Some people think they would believe on Jesus if they could see him. But Jesus told Thomas, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”

We can’t physically see the Lord, but we can see his creation around us in nature and sense his work in our lives. We know he is real, because we have his Holy Spirit guiding us and speaking to us through our consciences when we’re wrong.

It’s okay to want to be sure that Jesus is real. John 20:30-31 says, “The disciples saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in this book. But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name.”

For You

To know and understand Jesus more, you just have to read the Gospels. If you have doubts like Thomas did, ask God to give you the answers you need to strengthen your belief.

Answer: b

[Jesus] said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!”   John 20:27

(The Whole Story: John 20:24-29)