by Timothy W. Burnett
During these visits, 11 of the 12 apostles were present. The missing one was Thomas. Even Judas of Iscariot was there. We don't have any clues as to where Thomas was, just that he was not there. According to John 20:25, upon his return the other disciples told him all that happened. His reply was, "Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe." Please note that Thomas' honest reply was no different from the others when they first heard. Let's keep this in mind the next time we're inclined to call somebody a "doubting Thomas."
In his typically loving and patient manner, our Lord Jesus returned eight days later (John 20:26-29). This time Thomas was present. Our Lord let Thomas touch the prints of the nails in his hands, and thrust his hand into his side. Once this happened Thomas believed and glorified God in heaven by saying, "My Lord and My God." Please understand that Thomas, like the others, knew exactly who Jesus was. They also knew that all these things happened according to the will of God in heaven who was and still is the Father of our Lord Jesus. Thomas was simply acknowledging God's role in what happened, and glorified Him.
Jesus Christ then said, "Thomas, because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are they that have not seen and have believed." This must have touched the hearts of all the disciples present.
According to John 20:30-31, our Lord Jesus did many more true signs in the presence of his disciples which are not written. But these were recorded so that we might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God. And that in believing we might have life through the name of our risen Lord and Savior Jesus.
The more time we spend in the Gospels learning about all that Jesus did and said, the more we plant the truth deeper into our hearts. According to Romans 10:9-10 believing with the heart that God raised Jesus from the dead is unto righteousness. This is the simplicity of the truth. Acts 2:4 records the first time people were filled with holy spirit. We find in Acts 1:21-22 that it was necessary for Judas' replacement to have been in the company of Jesus Christ from the baptism of John to the same day that Jesus was taken up into heaven to be with his Father. This way, when holy spirit was first poured out according to Acts 2:2, they would be immediately filled with the same holy spirit because they were believing with their hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead.
Jesus told Thomas and the others that believing with the heart was the key to this more than abundant life. It was necessary for the first 12 to have been with him in order to get things started as recorded in Acts 2:4. But after that time, they went about to teach the truth and help others obtain the same precious life and salvation. The people they taught were not present with Jesus, yet in believing they also were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Moreover many of them received the holy ghost by speaking in tongues, unto salvation from the great and terrible tribulation period that is still in the future.
God made it so simple and easy to entreat. For some of us, it takes more exposure to the Gospels before getting to the point of believing with the heart that God raised Jesus from the dead. For others, it takes only hearing or reading it one time, and in believing they are filled with holy spirit. Praise God for His powerful and simple love, that anybody can believe unto true righteousness. Praise God!
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