Thomas (Didymus) Who Was One of the twelve apostles, known as Doubting Thomas

Did you know that Thomas was the only person who saw Mary being taken up into heaven?

Yes! Thomas was the only person who saw Mary taken up into heaven. In addition, no one saw Mary and only Thomas had the honor of saying goodbye for the last time.

Introduction

Thomas is one of the 12 disciples of Jesus and was a very faithful disciple. He always supported Jesus and gave his life to preach Christianity. Thomas was a faithful man, but he also had a characteristic that he doubted. He did not accept anything until he was fully convinced. It was difficult for him to believe something until he saw it with his own eyes. Just as once Jesus came back to life after his crucifixion, Thomas said that until he saw Jesus with his own eyes and touched his wounds he would not be sure that Jesus had returned. Thomas is also known as “Doubting Thomas” because of his doubt also known as “Thomas Didymus “.

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But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, 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 the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.” (John 20:24-25)

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Thomas, who was called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” (John 11:16)

Thomas Doubt

When Jesus was killed and crucified by the Jews, after two or three days, Jesus resurrected and came to his disciples. Thomas was not present at that time. The rest of the disciples told Thomas the news of Jesus’ resurrection. Thomas did not believe that Jesus had returned from the dead, so he said, “I do not believe that Jesus has returned.” Everyone tried to convince him that we had seen it with our own eyes. Jesus came to us and he was alive. Thomas said, “Well, I will believe only when I see Jesus with my own eyes.” When he was crucified, he had many wounds and arrow marks. I have to touch them all and then I will believe that Jesus has returned. This suggests that Thomas did not believe anything until he saw it with his own eyes.

Verse

A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, 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. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” (John 20:26-27)

Verse

Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see, for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” (Luke 24:39)

Presence of Jesus

Thomas was waiting for Jesus to come to him again and to believe that Jesus had indeed risen. After eight days, Jesus returned to his disciples. Thomas was also there at that time. Jesus knew that Thomas did not believe that I had risen from the dead. That is why Jesus said, “Come and touch my wounds and see that these are the same wounds that were given to me before I was crucified.” He touched the wounds and was convinced that Jesus was alive. Thomas said, “My Lord, my God.” Jesus congratulated Thomas.

Verse

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 come to believe.” (John 20:28-29)

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When they saw him, they worshiped him, but they doubted. (Matthew 28:17)

Missionary Journey of Thomas

Thomas’s faith became stronger when Jesus was resurrected after his death and he promised himself that he would spread the message of Christianity to the people until his death. After that he gave every moment of his life to the preaching of Christianity. He traveled to India to preach the word of God. There he faced many difficulties but many people converted to Christianity because of his preaching.

Verse

When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying: Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. (Acts 1:13)

Thomas Faith And Doubt

Thomas must have doubted that Jesus had come back from the dead. However, Thomas was very firm in his faith and loyalty. Once Jesus’ disciple Lazarus died in Judea, Jesus said that now we should go there. A fear arose among the disciples of Jesus because the people there were very hostile to Jesus. They were afraid that they too might die by going there. But Thomas was the one who said let’s go. We will die with him. This shows that his faith was very strong and he was even ready to sacrifice his life for Christianity.

Verse

Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:27-28)

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So faith come from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:17)

Death of Thomas

Once Thomas was sitting next to Jesus before going to preach and Jesus said that I am going to my father’s house and soon you will also follow me. On this a question came to Thomas’ mind and he said. That we don’t even know the house and we don’t know the way, so how can we follow you? Jesus said that I am the way and I am the destination. This meant that if they continued to believe in Jesus and his teachings, their way would automatically be made and they would gain closeness to God. It was a passion of faith for Thomas. He then went to India to preach and was brutally killed there because he was delivering the message of Jesus there. The rulers there did not like this at all because the people were converting to Christianity so he was killed.

Verse

As for yourselves, beware, for they will hand you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them. (Mark 13:9)

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“But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. This will give you an opportunity to testify. (Luke 21:12-13)

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

From the life of Thomas we learn that we should believe in God and His words because this is the highest degree of faith. Believing by seeing is a worldly thing, whereas in faith and spirituality it is not. One has to believe in it wholeheartedly. From Thomas’s faithfulness, we also realize that no matter how many difficulties we face in life, even if we have to sacrifice our lives, we have to convey God’s message to people.

Verse

Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” (John 20:29)

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Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)