It’s Sunday and the disciples have assembled together. The disciples had met the Sunday before, but Thomas wasn’t with them. Thomas wasn’t there when Jesus appeared to them. The disciples shared the good news of Jesus’ resurrection, but Thomas 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.” (John 20:25)
Too bad Thomas missed that meeting. Had he made it, he would have experienced the bodily presence of Jesus and believed a week early. His doubt would have been erased and his faith would have been increased. But because Thomas missed that last meeting his doubt endured.
John 20:24 says that Thomas was also known as Didymus. Didymus means twin in the Greek, so who’s twin is he?
He’s the twin of you and he’s the twin of me.
Have you ever missed a meeting with the Lord? I know I have. Missing meetings means missing out. Missing out on experiencing fellowship with the body of Christ. Missing out on believing. Missing out on increased faith. Had Thomas made it to the first meeting he would have seen Jesus and believed. His doubt would have been erased and his faith would have been increased!
That’s what happens to us when we make meetings.
Because Thomas missed the last meeting his doubt endured. It’s the same with you and the same with me. When we miss meetings, when we miss hearing the Word of God whatever doubts we have endure.
No doubt Thomas had his reasons for missing. He worked hard all week so perhaps he was too tired. But whatever his reason, when he missed the meeting, he missed out on experiencing the presence of Jesus in a unique way. He missed out on the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. He missed out on a tremendous blessing.
Oh, twin of doubting Thomas, don’t you see that Thomas didn’t believe until he touched Jesus? Don’t you see it’s the same for you today? You won’t believe until you touch Him.
So touch Him. Study Jesus’ life in the Scriptures. Encounter Jesus with His believers. Do these things and you too will believe! Like Thomas, you too will find yourself responding to Him, saying, “My Lord and my God!”
(JON COURSON)