Thomas and Touch

John 20:24-29 (NASB) “But Thomas, one of the twelve [apostles], called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came [after the resurrection]. So the other disciples were saying to him, ‘We have seen the Lord!’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.’ After eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ Then He said to Thomas, ‘Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing.’ Thomas answered and said to Him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him, ‘Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.’”

_________

Many people are familiar with the moniker “doubting Thomas” - it is drawn from an account in the Bible. However, the true purpose of this account in the gospel of John is not to villainize Thomas for his supposed unbelief. Rather, the apostle Thomas’ encounter with the resurrected Christ teaches us an important lesson: it is an invitation for a tangible experience of God.

In this passage from the Bible, the resurrected Christ has just appeared to the disciples and breathed on them so that they might “receive the Holy Spirit.” Thomas, however, was not present for this event. Eight days pass and Thomas eventually has an opportunity for an encounter with Jesus.

During this encounter, Jesus does not admonish Thomas for his unbelief. Rather, He responds to Thomas’ audacity to demand for physical proof that Jesus is alive (Luke 11:8). Jesus extends an invitation, in love, for Thomas to tangibly experience the resurrected Christ. This experience draws Thomas into belief. Jesus is so gentle with Thomas.

Christ is more than willing to tangibly make Himself known to us. Shame and guilt over unbelief prevent us from boldly approaching the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:18) to ask our Father for a tangible manifestation of His presence. He does not always expect us to “believe first.” There is grace to first see and then believe.

The account of Thomas teaches us that God will use tangible manifestation to increase our faith and make us aware of His reality. It is an invitation for us to truly “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8). Christ responds to a thirst and desire for Him that is rooted in love. As we ask, seek, and knock, we can expect that He will will respond.