Faith and Doubt
Scripture
John 20:24-29 NIV
24 Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the
doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my
side. Stop doubting and believe.”
28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who
have not seen and yet have believed.”
Devo
At this point in the gospel of John, Jesus has been crucified and has risen. He has revealed
himself to his disciples and others have heard word that he had defeated death. Yet, still there is Thomas, one of the disciples that has walked with Jesus, seen him do miracles and was aware of the prophecies. Yet, still he doubted and said he would not believe unless he saw it for himself, even touched the wounds of Jesus.
We can read this and easily start to shame Thomas for his doubt, we are also quick to doubt God. We doubt that He’s working in our lives, we doubt that His will is better than the plans we make for ourselves, we doubt His goodness, and sometimes we can even doubt our salvation.
But this scripture reminds us of so much truth. Jesus was sent to walk this Earth, live a sinless
life, die on a cross for our sins and rise three days later. Through this he has conquered life and
death and we are invited into that fullness of life, which can only be received by grace through
faith. The death and resurrection of Jesus brings us life, and life eternal. One of the key beliefs of our faith is that we have received grace from a living God. Do we believe and stand firm in that truth today?
Jesus paid the ultimate price for our sin so that we can share in eternal glory with Him in
Heaven. Romans 8:18 says, I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with
the glory that will be revealed in us. This was just as true for Jesus as He was nailed to the cross
as it is for us each day. We all have doubts from time to time but the truth is, we are blessed for
putting our faith in God, for trusting that He is good.
Questions
1. Where have you been experiencing doubt or lack of faith?
2. What are ways we can combat these doubts? What does verse 27 say?
3. In verse 28, Thomas cries out, “My Lord and my God!” - how can you spend time this week in
the word and proclaiming God’s name over the doubt you’re experiencing?
John 20:24-29 NIV
24 Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the
doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my
side. Stop doubting and believe.”
28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who
have not seen and yet have believed.”
Devo
At this point in the gospel of John, Jesus has been crucified and has risen. He has revealed
himself to his disciples and others have heard word that he had defeated death. Yet, still there is Thomas, one of the disciples that has walked with Jesus, seen him do miracles and was aware of the prophecies. Yet, still he doubted and said he would not believe unless he saw it for himself, even touched the wounds of Jesus.
We can read this and easily start to shame Thomas for his doubt, we are also quick to doubt God. We doubt that He’s working in our lives, we doubt that His will is better than the plans we make for ourselves, we doubt His goodness, and sometimes we can even doubt our salvation.
But this scripture reminds us of so much truth. Jesus was sent to walk this Earth, live a sinless
life, die on a cross for our sins and rise three days later. Through this he has conquered life and
death and we are invited into that fullness of life, which can only be received by grace through
faith. The death and resurrection of Jesus brings us life, and life eternal. One of the key beliefs of our faith is that we have received grace from a living God. Do we believe and stand firm in that truth today?
Jesus paid the ultimate price for our sin so that we can share in eternal glory with Him in
Heaven. Romans 8:18 says, I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with
the glory that will be revealed in us. This was just as true for Jesus as He was nailed to the cross
as it is for us each day. We all have doubts from time to time but the truth is, we are blessed for
putting our faith in God, for trusting that He is good.
Questions
1. Where have you been experiencing doubt or lack of faith?
2. What are ways we can combat these doubts? What does verse 27 say?
3. In verse 28, Thomas cries out, “My Lord and my God!” - how can you spend time this week in
the word and proclaiming God’s name over the doubt you’re experiencing?
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