John 20:24-3124But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. 25The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, 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. 26And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. 27Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. 29Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. 30And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: 31But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. (John 20:24‑31)
You have heard how the disciples saw Jesus in the evening. But one of the disciples was not there when Jesus came. His name was Thomas. I do not know why he was not there.
When the disciples saw Thomas next, they said to him, ‘We have seen Jesus. On the Lord’s Day night we saw Him. He came into the room as we were sitting together, and He spoke to us. We are sure it was Jesus Himself, because He showed us the marks of the nails in His hands and feet, and the hole in His side where the spear went in.’
But Thomas would not believe the disciples. He said, ‘I do not think you saw Jesus Himself. He died on the cross. I never will believe unless I put my fingers into the marks of the nails, and put my hand into the hole in His side.’
It was very wrong of Thomas to speak in this way. He should have remembered that Jesus had promised to come alive again.
Jesus heard Thomas speak, though Thomas could not see Him. But Jesus was always with the disciples and heard all they said because He is God.
Next Lord’s Day evening the disciples were in a room together. Thomas was there too. The doors were locked to keep the wicked people out, but the disciples knew that Jesus could come in. And He did come. They saw Him standing in the middle of the room. He spoke kindly to them and said, ‘Peace be unto you!’
Then He spoke to Thomas. ‘Come,’ He said to Thomas, ‘here are My hands. Put your finger into the marks. And here is the hole in My side; put your hand into it.’
Now Thomas knew that Jesus had heard him speak so sinfully, and he felt ashamed and sorry He saw that it was Jesus Himself, and he cried out, ‘My Lord and my God!’
Then Jesus said to Thomas, ‘Now, because you have seen, you believe. Blessed are they who have not seen, and yet have believed.’ Jesus forgave Thomas for what he had said. Thomas really loved Jesus.
Questions
Which of the disciples would not believe that Jesus was alive again?
What did Thomas say he must do before he would believe?
When did Thomas see Jesus again?
What did Jesus say to him when He saw him?
Did Thomas then believe that Jesus was alive?
How God always hears us speak:
A verse from the Bible for you to learn: