John 20 - Steve Wiggins Daily Devotional

“But one of the twelve, Thomas (called ‘Twin’), was not with them when Yeshua came. So the other disciples kept telling him, ‘We have seen the Lord!’ But he said to them, ‘If I don’t see the mark of the nails in His hands, put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will never believe!’” John 20:24-25

Like most people, I would hope my faithfulness to the L_rd would be compared to the Bible’s faithful giants, guys like Paul, Daniel, Joshua, or Joseph. Sadly, I feel more akin to guys like Thomas. More often than not, I have to see things in order to believe them.

Personally, I think “Doubting Thomas” has gotten a bad rap over the years. It helps to know the other disciples didn’t have much more faith than Thomas. They each had to see to believe, as well. None of them took the women’s testimony, (those women who had seen the empty tomb) at face value.

Earlier in chapter 20, John testifies concerning his own lack of faith & understanding, and that of the others. Seeing was believing, even for John.

“The other disciple who had reached the tomb first, then entered the tomb, saw, and believed. For they still did not understand the Scripture that He must rise from the dead.” John 20: 8-9

Yeshua had already appeared to the 10 other disciples (Judas had hung himself) and shown them His scars on the 1st day of the week. Thomas was the LAST to see & believe. He didn’t see Yeshua, until the 8th day.

“In the evening of the first day, the disciples were gathered together with the doors locked because of their fear of the Jews. Then Yeshua came and stood among them, and said to them, ‘Shalom!’ Having said this, He showed them His hands and side. So the disciples rejoiced when they saw the L_rd.” John 20:19-20

In my opinion, Thomas’ statement was not one of blatant unbelief…no more unbelief than the others had displayed. I believe Thomas’ statement had more to do with his frustration, that he had been absent when Yeshua first appeared to the others. Thomas wanted the L_rd to reveal Himself, exactly as He had done to the others. He didn’t want to miss out. Yeshua granted Thomas’ longing for personal interaction, as He will for you.

G_d knows men will not believe in Him, simply because they experience an overwhelming volume of miraculous signs. That’s why not every single miracle that Yeshua performed is recorded. The impact of miracles fades over time. Doubt sets in.

Still, G_d knows some men will not believe in Him, unless they experience a sign. John 20: 30-31 Perhaps, the most convincing sign unbelievers need to experience, is the gospel, accompanied by the “miracle” of your transformed life.

Blessings,
~Steve Wiggins, Assistant Rabbi
Shuvah Yisrael
Daily Devotional, Tuesday, July 16, 2013