24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But he 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.”
26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Jesus did not rebuke him for wanting some evidence. He never, ever promoted blind faith. He encouraged evidential faith.
When Thomas was not present, he invited him to touch his wounds and see that he was real. Then he encouraged him to believe.
It was see the evidence. Now believe.
When that happened, Thomas declared to him, “My Lord and my God!” (v. 28).
Jesus didn’t correct him. Because He was God. He received worship.
Then John concludes with this:
30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Here’s teh encouragement:
SEARCH OUT YOUR FAITH.
SEARCH OUT JESUS.
Then believe in Him. The events of his life were recorded not for entertainment or to share nice stories, but so that you would believe in Him. And by believing in Him, you would have life.