April 6 | John 20:24-29

Dave Mann
Apr 6
3 min read

DAILY READING

John 20:24-29

REFLECTION

A Disciple Like Us

By Dave Mann

Thomas is best known for doubting the reports of Jesus’ resurrection. However, two prior

accounts of Thomas in the fourth gospel show him to be a devout follower of Jesus.

When Jesus and the disciples hear of Lazarus’ death in Bethany, a small town in Judea, some of the disciples caution Jesus against travelling there. They remind him that the last time he was there, some of the people tried to stone him. But Thomas shows his deep loyalty, urging the rest of the disciples (John 11:16), “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

A few chapters later, we find Jesus and his disciples in what we now call The Upper Room Discourse. At one point (John 14:4-5), Thomas gives Jesus the perfect lead-in for one of Jesus’ best-known one-liners. Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me.” Thomas must have been tracking with Jesus’ teaching.

However, when he hears reports of the resurrection, something happens in Thomas’ spirit. He is not willing to attest to something he has not seen himself. He does not want to be taken in. Perhaps he thinks the others are too gullible. Nevertheless, when Jesus does show himself to Thomas, he is quick to repent and falls at Jesus’ feet with a heartfelt confession of faith.

If you have been privileged to view a performance of Tetélestai, you have seen how well the cast conveys Thomas’ conversion. After the resurrection, Jesus appears to many of the other disciples. But Thomas argues that Jesus couldn’t have risen from the dead, “It just doesn’t happen like that!” Then when Jesus appears in the room approaching quietly from behind Thomas, the eyes of the others grow wider and wider as they witness Jesus moving closer and closer. But Thomas, oblivious to Jesus’ presence, keeps on with his rant, until he realizes that the other disciples are no longer speaking. The moment is electric, as Thomas slowly turns. When his eyes meet Jesus’, he falls at Jesus’ feet. His confession is simply, “My Lord and my God!”

Remember that most of the other disciples were blessed to have a visual confirmation of the resurrected Christ. Matthew reminds us that Thomas was not the only one who doubted. (See Matthew 28:17.) We ourselves are not immune from doubts. When the Lord approaches us and catches us by surprise, may we bow in repentant faith like Thomas.

PRAYER

O Lord, how I try to be like Thomas in the first accounts of his actions, but I confess that there are also times when I am more like the doubting Thomas. May your Holy Spirit lead me in the way, the truth, and the life. And when I falter, may your Spirit prompt me to a quick and sincere repentance, my Lord and my God. Amen.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

DAVE MANN

I am a Pastor for Internationals (retired) in the UALC community. I am married to Pam, father of four, and grandfather of seven. Pam and I have lived twenty of our years in other countries including France, Cameroon, Haiti, and Morocco. In retirement, we continue to enjoy writing devotionals, learning languages, and teaching English to internationals.