Thomas’s name appears on the several lists of disciples found in the Gospels, often with the added phrase, “the twin.” However, only John’s Gospel reports incidents in which Thomas is an actor.

Thomas’s loyalty (John 11:16). Jesus had left Jerusalem because the growing hostility of the religious leaders placed him in deadly peril. While Jesus was away, a close friend, Lazarus, became seriously ill. His sisters, Mary and Martha, immediately sent for Jesus. When Jesus received the message He waited several days. Then Jesus announced He was returning to Bethany, which lay just outside of Jerusalem. The disciples were reluctant to return, for the danger to Christ was real. Thomas “said to his fellow disciples, ‘Let us also go, that we may die with Him.’ ”

Jesus had become so significant to Thomas that he was unwilling to live if Christ were killed.

Thomas’s uncertainty (John 14:5). The second incident featuring Thomas took place during the Last Supper. Jesus was explaining why it was to His disciple’s benefit for Him to leave, and said, “Where I go you know, and the way you know” (John 14:4). This saying puzzled all of the disciples, but Thomas spoke up and said, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” Christ’s response is one of the most significant of His sayings recorded in the New Testament: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

Thomas and the others did know, for the key to understanding heaven is not that it is a location, but a relationship. Christ was going to be with the Father, and knowing Christ is our passport to where He is.

Thomas’s expression of doubt (John 20:24–29). The first time after His resurrection that Jesus showed Himself to His disciples, Thomas was absent. When the others told Thomas that they had been with Christ, Thomas announced: “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails … I will not believe.”

Remembering Thomas’s readiness to die with Jesus rather than be without  Him, we can perhaps understand. Thomas’s life had been turned upside down by Jesus’ death. Hope that Jesus was alive was simply too painful to entertain. Hope might be dashed, and the disappointment would be too great to bear.

Eight days later, Jesus came to His disciples again. This time, Thomas was present! When Jesus invited Thomas to explore the wounds in His hand and side, Thomas simply fell to the floor and said, “My Lord and my God!”

There is an unhealthy skepticism that refuses to believe, and there is an eager skepticism that wants desperately to believe but is afraid to hope. It was this skepticism that possessed Thomas. At the first sight of his Lord, the skepticism disappeared.

THOMAS: AN EXAMPLE FOR TODAY

Thomas, although briefly portrayed in the New Testament, comes across as a person with qualities we would do well to emulate.

• Thomas exemplifies both love and loyalty. He was willing to go with Christ to Jerusalem because he could not face the prospect of life without Him. Christ needs this kind of follower today, too.

• Thomas exemplifies an inquiring spirit. When puzzled by Christ’s reference to “the way,” Thomas spoke up with his question. Today truly honest Christians question matters of faith, not because they doubt, but because they yearn to know what God’s Word means.

• Thomas exemplifies the right kind of skepticism. Thomas wanted what the disciples reported to be true, but at the same time he was afraid of further disappointment. As soon as Thomas saw Jesus, his doubts dissolved and he acknowledged Christ as Lord and God. When we have doubts, we need to remain open to belief so that when Christ’s Spirit speaks to us we will be as ready as Thomas to respond with faith.

--Richards, L. Every man in the Bible (190–191).