Mislabeled
Scripture Reading: John 20:24-31
Everyone knows the disciple Thomas as “doubting Thomas.” While this has some basis in the biblical record, I believe it is unfair and a misreading of the text. Thomas is mislabeled. John is very clear about the purpose of the gospel he wrote:
These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. (John 20:31).
What is saving belief? What does that look like? John talks a lot about that. One commentary I own on this gospel is smartly titled, “The Gospel of Belief.” When you read through John you find several words for belief and many examples of people who believed. John was very thoughtful and organized in the way he presented Christ as the One in whom we are to believe. And when John decided what the climactic moment in his gospel would be, when he chose who would walk out onto the stage for the final act and say, “This is what it looks like to believe,” he chose Thomas.
The other gospels don’t tell us much of anything about Thomas. He was a backbencher, so to speak. He was one of the twelve, but he isn’t prominently displayed in the Synoptics. It is in John that we learn a little about Thomas, but even then John isn’t trying to even the playing field and give Thomas some time on the stage. John is showing what saving faith looks like, and Thomas serves us in that way.
Thomas’ declaration at seeing Jesus, “My Lord and my God,” is an expression of saving faith. Jesus acknowledges as much: “Have you believed because you have seen me?” What, then, did Thomas believe? He believed Jesus is Lord and God and that He is risen from the grave.
Thomas’ faith was prompted by the physical appearance of the risen Lord Jesus. John concludes his gospel with Jesus saying, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Believed what? Believed that Jesus is Lord and God and that He has risen from the dead!
Have you believed in that way?
(I realize that there is another chapter. Most scholars refer to it as John’s prologue, meaning it is like an afterward. The main part of the book concludes with chapter 20 and chapter 21 is added to clear up some confusion concerning what Jesus had said about John’s death, and to show how Peter was restored to apostolic ministry after his denials).