I apologize for this not reaching you when I originally posted it on August 2, 2025. Resending it.
Stuck. Thomas was stuck in his unbelief about Jesus being resurrected. The other disciples were present when Jesus appeared in the room unannounced. He hadn’t knocked on the door. No one opened the door to let anyone else in, so it couldn’t be said that Jesus slid in behind someone else walking in. He simply appeared to everyone’s horror. But Jesus calmed their fears, assuring them He was indeed alive.
But Thomas wasn’t there that day. For whatever reason, he missed the most amazing encounter with the resurrected Savior. I love this fact. It wasn’t a mistake that Thomas wasn’t there. It wasn’t a case of poor timing on Jesus’ part or Thomas’. God planned it that way. Why? It brought to light what Thomas felt about the situation.
There would have been no need for Thomas to share how he felt because the circumstances wouldn’t have brought that aspect of him to light. But Jesus knew before that moment that Thomas would respond to the news in doubt.
He’d heard what the others were saying about having seen the resurrected Jesus. He was adamant that there wasn’t anything anyone could say to him to convince him otherwise. He was stuck in his thinking!
Yet, the beauty is in the fact that Thomas told the truth about where he was on the issue. He didn’t try to cover it up by pretending to believe something he didn’t. He admitted he was stuck! And he shared that nothing would change his mind except if he saw Jesus’ nail scarred hands, put his finger in the nail print, and put his hand in Jesus’ side.
He lived in that state of unbelief for eight days. While joy swirled around him about the miraculous news, he remained stuck in doubt. The other disciples knew Thomas was living beneath his privilege, but they couldn’t release him from his position. Only Jesus could do that!
After eight days, Jesus again appeared in the room, but on this occasion, Thomas was present. Jesus wasted no time in addressing Thomas. That day, Thomas’s doubts were erased. He was finally able to embrace what everyone else had known and experienced.
As I read the account over and over again, I saw myself in the text. The Lord had given me a massive assignment, and I just couldn’t wrap my mind around it. I was stuck in “how can this be,” and my doubt about the situation was stifling.
I was reminded that He allowed my doubt to surface so that it could be addressed. And my, how He addressed it. Recently, the Lord moved through several events, and He spoke to me. He revealed to me repeatedly that what I’d heard was indeed true. He made it all absolutely clear, and now I, too, am free to rejoice along with those who, from the beginning, weren’t stuck in doubt.
I’m following the path He said is mine to take, and I’m grateful! I’m no longer stuck!
19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.25 The 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.26 And 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.27 Then 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.28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. John 20:24-29 (KJV)
In the Master’s Service,
Author/Pastor Michele D Robertson
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Matthew 11:28-29 (KJV)