“My Lord and my God!”

• Home

 “Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came.  So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”    [John 20:24-25]

---

“My Lord and my God!”

Thomas said to the other disciples, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

We should not jump to the conclusion that Thomas should be blamed for not being present with the other disciples the first time Jesus appeared to them.  Nothing is said to indicate the reason for his absence.

Thomas is to be blamed for his unbelieving attitude. He must have visible, tangible proof of the Lord’s resurrection, otherwise he will not believe. This is the attitude of many today, but it is not reasonable. Even scientists believe many things that they can neither see nor touch.

A week later the disciples were together again. This time, Thomas was with them. Again the Lord Jesus entered the room in a miraculous way and again greeted them with “Peace to you!” The Lord dealt gently and patiently with His faithless follower. He invited him to prove the reality of His resurrection by putting his hand into the spear wound in His side.

Thomas was convinced. Whether he ever did put his hand into the Lord’s side, we do not know. But he knew at last that Jesus was raised from the dead and that He was both Lord and God.  Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”

The important thing to notice is that Jesus accepted worship as God.  If He were only a man, He should have refused it. But Thomas’ faith was not the kind that was most pleasing to the Lord. It was belief based on sight.  Jesus said, "Thomas, do you have faith because you have seen me? The people who have faith in me without seeing me are the ones who are really blessed!"
   
 

 

Put your finger here, and see my hands

    

"Put your finger here, and see my hands..."

 “Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”  Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.”  Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”  Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”  [John 20:26-28]