Doubting Thomas

The story of Doubting Thomas has always been one of my favorite Bible passages, not because I agree with its message, but because I believe it reveals an important insight into the mindset many Christians have about their faith. Thomas was one of Jesus’ twelve disciples, but for some reason he wasn’t present the first time Jesus appeared to his disciples after rising from the dead. Upon hearing the news of Jesus’ resurrection from the other disciples, Thomas was skeptical:

“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.”

One week later, Jesus appeared to his disciples again, this time with Thomas present. He showed Thomas the wounds on his hands and his side, and this was sufficient to convince Thomas of his resurrection. The passage concludes with Jesus explaining to Thomas the moral of the story:

“Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

I find it telling the way Thomas is portrayed in this passage. Thomas had done something laudable: he asked to see evidence. After all, what if the other disciples had been trying to fool him? Or what if the other disciples had been fooled themselves? How could Thomas distinguish fact from fiction? The best way for Thomas to confirm the story was to examine the evidence himself. In this case, it turned out that the disciples were telling the truth, but if Thomas adopted as a rule automatically believing every fantastic story he hears, then he may end up gullibly falling for many false stories in the future.

Jesus could have used this opportunity to teach a much more valuable lesson. Here’s what I wish he would have said at the conclusion of the passage:

“Thomas, you have set a wise example to your peers. Be skeptical of the stories you are told, else you may be fooled into holding false beliefs. Blessed are those who believe based on evidence.”