The Apostle Who Doubted

Reading Portion

Jn.11:16; 14:4-6; 20:24-29

Lesson Content

1. Thomas was one among the twelve disciples of Jesus (Jn.20:24).

2. He was one who loved Jesus and was prepared to die with Him (Jn.11:16).

3. When Jesus told the disciples, ‘Whither I go ye know, and the way ye know’, Thomas plainly told the Lord, ‘We know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?’ Jesus’ reply revealed the eternal truth — ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me’ (Jn.14:4-6).

4. After His resurrection Jesus appeared to many. On one occasion He appeared to all the apostles when Thomas was not present (Lesson 16). (Jn.20:19-25).

5. The words of unbelief that Thomas spoke when the other apostles told him that they saw Jesus (Jn.20:25).

6. Jesus again appeared to the apostles when Thomas was present (Jn.20:26).

7. Jesus spoke to Thomas showing His wounds and the print of the nails and exhorted him not to be faithless but believing (Jn.20:27).

8. Thomas’ confession and Jesus’ reply to him (Jn.20:28,29).

Moral

As we are able to believe the resurrected Jesus without seeing Him, we are more blessed than those who saw Him and believed.