Christians today rarely discuss Thomas, one of the original twelve disciples, without acknowledging his moment of doubt. This single moment, a single instance of weakness in an otherwise devout ministry of Thomas (John 20:24–31), is one that continues to live on in infamy throughout the Christian faith. In one moment, one key player, a dedicated character to the cause, is forever vilified. History forgets entirely that this same man was also the first man willing to die for the cause, the first willing to embrace martyrdom.
Why? Why is THIS our focus?
Is it because we so much love to see someone fail?
Regardless of the reason, we unfairly branded him “Doubting Thomas” and somehow redefined an entire life of ministry into one single moment of grief. One bad weekend. One broken sentence. One wound that never healed cleanly. We turned him into the weakest link, the one that was too skeptical, too slow, too fragile to believe what he was hearing about a risen Jesus could be true.
In scripture, John sums up the situation the group pretty well. Going back home is going to be treacherous. This isn’t going to be a casual or typical return trip; Judea is hostile ground for their team. The religious leaders nearly stoned Jesus days earlier. Going back is literally a death march for the group. And the disciples know it. Fear grips the room. Everyone starts counting the cost. Everyone starts looking for a way out.
And then Thomas speaks... No sermon. No strategy. No spiritual clichés. “Let us also go, that we may die with Him.” Wait, what?! That isn't doubt! That is sheer dedication and complete devotion!
That is a man so loyal he would rather die beside Jesus than live without Him.
A man willing to take stones to bones just to stay close to his Rabbi. While others hesitated, frozen in fear, Thomas without any doubt or hesitation, boldly stepped forward. While others thought to protect themselves, he offered his life.
So later, when the reality of the crucifixion shattered him, it appears that the message garnered by the masses was seen as disbelief. But his doubt wasn’t a moment of rebellion, it was genuine heartbreak.
Thomas had already resolved death in his mind. He had already accepted in his heart that he would have to die for his faith. He had prepared himself for martyrdom. But instead, he was spared this round, having to watch Jesus die, alone... without him. His faith didn’t collapse because it was weak, it collapsed because he was all-in. And it broke him. That kind of loss bears pain. Deep pain, which leaves very apparent scars.
And notice what Jesus does when He appears... No rebuke toward Thomas. No correction. No lecture. Just a presentation of the scars. He extended His hands, wounds exposed, and His love covered him. He offered Thomas grace without shame. Jesus accepted Thomas' questioning. And He provided what was needed in that moment.
The very sad truth is that we are ruthless with people’s worst moments.
We define their entire lives by their lowest of chapters. We do it all of the time. We look down at folks critically, not knowing the whole picture. Oftentimes, not even caring enough to get to know. We are so critical and so judgmental... I'm sure you've heard it said, and it carries the weight of truth, Christians are the most judgmental people of all.
But like many of us who've experienced the lowest of lows, this wasn't the end of Thomas’ story either. It didn't end there, in a moment of doubt, it ended in the same obedience that he had just testified to a few days earlier. Church tradition tells us he traveled farther than any other apostle, carrying the Gospel all the way to India, where he was pierced through and died for the same cause for which he had lived. He carried the same passion and enthusiasm with him to the very end and died exactly how he lived: fully committed and without retreat.
So before you dismiss someone because their faith looks messy, take a pause. Before you judge them and label their questions or actions as inappropriate, simply because they differ from your own, think again.
Like Thomas, they may not be enemies of belief, but rather wounded believers who loved Jesus enough to risk everything once and may just be terrified of being broken once again. But understand this- once these type of folks are brought back to the task at hand, onlookers beware!! Sometimes faith doesn’t need answers; sometimes, maybe it just needs to see the scars. And once revealed, there will be no stopping the passion that they will bring to the cause that they will fight. Like Thomas, they may be willing to give it their all, both in life and death.
I would humbly suggest refraining from being "righteously" judgmental of these devoted followers of Christ. And please stop placing labels on people... sometimes, these careless words can last for an eternity.
~ Devin
Devin Osborne
