Skeptical Thomas

And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!"
— John 20:28

When we think of Jesus' disciple, Thomas, one word comes to mind: doubt. But it would be more accurate to call Thomas a skeptic, not a doubter. And skepticism is not always a bad thing.

It has been said that skepticism is the first step toward truth. Skepticism is not always a sign that a person is wrong; it may be a sign that he or she is thinking. And frankly, I think some Christians could use a little more skepticism, because sometimes we are too quick to believe anyone or anything that comes along.

Thomas just wanted to know for himself. He didn't live off other people's faith, and that is admirable. Of course, we know that he missed the appearance of Jesus when He came to the disciples. So when the disciples saw Thomas and told him what happened, he said, "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe" (John 20:25).

The next time the disciples met, Thomas was there. And guess who showed up? Jesus. He invited Thomas to look at and feel His wounds. But Thomas didn't need to. Rather, he said, "My Lord and my God!" So Thomas wasn't really a doubter. He believed when he was presented with the facts. Thomas, the skeptic, was a believer.

On another occasion, when Jesus had told the disciples He wanted to go to Bethany after Lazarus had died, they thought Jesus' life was at stake (see John 11:8). But Thomas said, "Let us also go, that we may die with Him" (John 11:16). Thomas was willing to lay his life down for the faith, and indeed he did. According to church tradition, Thomas died as a martyr.