“I’ll believe it when I see it.” Have you ever felt that way about some of God’s promises? Jesus said, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (10:10) But when trouble or grief strikes, don’t we tend to say, “I’ll believe that abundant life stuff when I see it?” Jesus said, “Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (8:12). But how easy is that to believe when we find ourselves groping in the dark, confused by so many conflicting opinions?

Yes, it’s easy for us to sympathize with Thomas’ skepticism. And so if Jesus sent His disciples into the world to bear witness to Him (20:21), and if Jesus’ disciples weren’t able to convince Thomas of the truth of the Resurrection, how can any of us hope to succeed at evangelism? How can we possibly persuade anyone else to follow Jesus when it’s so hard for anyone to have faith – and when it is sometimes hard for us to hold on to faith ourselves?

Well, look what happened in both verses 19 and 26: “Jesus came and stood among them.” You see, Jesus gave each of His disciples exactly what they needed in order for them to believe in Him. He even gave Thomas the proof that he wanted, right down to the last detail.

And that’s the good news for all of us today. For yes, we are all called to tell one another the truth about Jesus’ power and love – in fact that’s the very reason John wrote his gospel (20:31). But if we are indeed called to present the claims of Christ clearly and unambiguously to the unbelieving world, it’s not our job to produce faith in them – or even in ourselves. That’s what Jesus does, as He comes to each of us, giving us new birth (3:7), and sending His Holy Spirit into our hearts (3:8; 20:22).

So, don’t try to muster up more faith within yourself – just ask Jesus for it. And then pray for Him to give that same kind of faith to others who are still having a hard time trusting in Him. For we can be sure that all those who have not seen Him but have truly trusted in Him will indeed be blessed (20:29) even with the gift of true life in His name (20:31).

John 20:19-31 (ESV)

19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.
21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”
22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”
24 Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came.
25 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.”
26 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.”
27 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.”
28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”
29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book;
31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.