THOMAS: PESSIMISTIC BUT FEARLESS BELIEVER

Thomas figures in three passages found in the Gospel of John, all relating to death in one way to another. Unfortunately for his lasting reputation, Thomas is only known for the last episode, which has earned him the totally undeserved reputation as being a doubter. I will try to correct that mistake in the few words below.

In John 10, we learn that the Jews in Jerusalem had tried unsuccessfully to stone Jesus, and so he had withdrawn to the other side of the Jordan. However, in John 11 Jesus learns of Lazarus' death and announces his intention to go to Bethany. At this point, the apostles try to dissuade him due to the dangers involved. It is only when Thomas stands up and rallies the others by saying, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” It is not exactly the sort of pep talk that most people would chose for that situation, but it was effective nevertheless. I think we can see two characteristics clearly from those few words. Thomas expects the absolute worst to happen, but he doesn't care since he is fully prepared to die in order to follow Jesus wherever He goes. In other words, he is pessimistic by nature but it does not at all impede him from believing in Jesus with all his heart.

In John 14, we hear from Thomas again. Jesus says that he is going to his Father's house to prepare a place for the apostles. Thomas becomes worried because he doesn't know how they are to follow him if they don't know the way. Thomas' question is consistent with his willingness to die with Christ; he just wants to know how he is to go about it.

Finally we come to the notorious episode (John 20) where Thomas “doubts” that Christ has indeed risen. The first point to make is that Thomas was by no means alone in doubting the resurrection; the apostles in general refused to believe the women's story of the empty tomb.

Verse 19 tells us that when the resurrected Jesus appeared to the apostles, they are in Jerusalem, but behind locked doors since they were afraid of dying at the hands of the hostile Jews. Verse 24 informs us that all but Thomas were present at that time. Have you ever asked yourself where Thomas was at the time? It is sheer speculation on my part, but I believe it was entirely possible that he was the one who had volunteered to risk going out and buying provisions for the others and gathering the latest news from the outside. We know that he had not fled town since a week later he is found with the others (v. 26). If so, then it would be perfectly consistent with the actions of one who had talked the others into going to Jerusalem on an earlier occasion despite the dangers.

Lastly, there is his doubt that the others truly saw the resurrected Jesus. This has been attributed to his total lack of faith, but I prefer to see it as the natural reaction of the classic pessimist who always thinks the worst so that he will never be disappointed. Note that when Jesus really does appear, Thomas never does need to feel the wounds to be convinced. And Jesus doesn't really bawl him out for his lack of belief, but uses Thomas as an object lesson for those of us who believe even though we haven't seen.

As a final example of Thomas' faith, there is his pronouncement: “My Lord and my God.” Other apostles had called Jesus their Lord or the Son of God, but it took Thomas to confess that the risen Christ was God Himself. I hardly think that “doubter” adequately describes Thomas at all.