In July 2022, Nick Bostic, a 25-year-old pizza delivery driver in Indiana, saw a house on fire while driving. Without hesitation, he ran inside the inferno and rescued four children. As he exited, one of the children told him another 6-year-old girl was still inside.
Nick went back through the smoke and flames, guided by her cries. He found her, carried her, and jumped from a second-story window, shielding her with his body.
Nick suffered cuts and burns, but the girl had only a minor injury. His bravery earned him the Carnegie Medal, the highest civilian honor for heroism in the United States. An ordinary delivery man became extraordinary.
Like Nick, the pizza delivery guy, the twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ were ordinary men whom God used in a spectacular way.
The gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke each record Thomas’ name in the catalogue of apostles, but none say anything about his life. The Apostle Thomas is often dubbed “Doubting Thomas” by Christians today, but there’s more to his story. John’s gospel unveils four characteristics about the Apostle Thomas which should forever change the way you think of him. Each detail reveals his undying devotion to Christ.
THOMAS RESEMBLED JESUS.
Three times the Scriptures say he was called Didymus.
“There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus…” (John 21:2)
Didymus means “twin or double.” Double to whom? Usually, the lesser known person is referred to as a twin or double and the more prominent is called by their own proper name. For Thomas to be called the twin, there must have been a better known person Thomas was often seen in the the presence of. Where you find one, there you’ll find the other.
The Bible doesn’t hint that Thomas was the twin to any of the other apostles. So, who more prominent person was Thomas always hanging around? It’s very possible Thomas was the lookalike or twin to Jesus. Perhaps there were striking similarities in their size, speech, walk or mannerisms. Whatever the likeness, he was always shadowing Christ. A closer look at the Scriptures reveal his die hard devotion to his Lord. While we can speculate about the different ways Thomas may have resembled Jesus, the real question is “Do others see your resemblance to Jesus?”
THOMAS STOOD WITH JESUS.
After the death of his beloved friend, Lazarus, Jesus announced His plans to go to the city of Bethany, a suburb of Jerusalem. Usually it was one of the more outspoke apostles like Peter who influenced the others. This time it was Thomas. He spoke simply, courageously, and honestly.
“Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go,
that we may die with him.” (John 11:16)
While on the surface it may sound like Thomas was just being pessimistic, his statement says so much more. This is one of the few times Scripture records Thomas speaking, and what he says is powerful and convicting. He challenged the other disciples to remain loyal to Christ, even in the jaws of death. He was emphatically stating he would rather die with Christ then to live without Christ. Thomas couldn’t bear the thought of being separated from his Lord. This wasn’t just empty talk. Thomas meant what he said and didn’t flinch in the face of persecution, and he challenged the other disciples to do likewise.
THOMAS SPENT TIME WITH JESUS.
“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.” (John 14:3-4)
Jesus spoke to His apostles about the glories of Heaven. But all Thomas heard was that Jesus was leaving, and that bothered him.
“Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?” (John 14:5)
Thomas wasn’t nearly as interested in the pleasures of Heaven as he was in being in the presence of Jesus. He was determined to be sure that he understood perfectly how he could be reunited with Jesus. He wanted to be absolutely sure he knew the right way. He wasn’t so enamored with the benefits of following Christ, nor was he concerned about who else was going. All that mattered to Thomas was that he could be with Jesus. It didn’t matter how wonderful the destination was if he didn’t understand how to get there. Jesus answered Thomas’ question both for his sake and for us,
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)
THOMAS GRIEVED OVER JESUS.
It wasn’t just Thomas who didn’t believe at first; none of the apostles believed the women’s report of Jesus’ resurrection.
“And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.” (Mark 16:10-11)
One author observed, “What set Thomas apart from the other ten was not that his doubt was greater, but that his sorrow was greater…No one could feel the way Thomas felt unless he loved Jesus the way Thomas loved him.” Thomas’ absence from the upper room revealed the intensity of his grief over the death of Jesus. He wasn’t about to plaster a smile on his face and pretend that everything was okay.
It’s true, by being absent from the assembly of the other disciples he missed seeing Jesus and prolonged his grief. A vivid reminder to disciples today that when you’re missing from the assembly of the church, you’re depraving yourself of the balm you need to heal in your grief. Thomas’ response to the death of Jesus revealed the depth of his love for Jesus. When Christ died, so did Thomas. Jesus was his everything, and when Jesus died, Thomas was crushed. No one needed to inform Jesus about Thomas’ doubts and discouragement. Jesus already knew; so when He made His second appearance in the upper room, He spoke directly to Thomas—with patience, gentleness, and truth. “Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.” (John 20:27)
Did Thomas wrestle with doubt? Sure he did; same as the rest of the apostles. Same as every human does. But he didn’t stay there. The resurrection of Jesus changed everything for him as it does for all true disciples.
Immediately after Jesus’ gentle rebuke, Thomas responds humbly and boldly. He offers one of the most clear, profound, personal, and powerful declarations about Jesus recorded in the Bible.
“And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.” (John 20:28)
History says the Apostle Thomas carried the gospel all the way from Israel to India. Though he didn’t die with the Lord when they journeyed to Bethany to raise Lazarus, he was willing to. Eventually, he did give his life for Christ. Tradition says the Apostle Thomas was martyred for Christ…by a spear. Obviously, he never forgot the moment he touched the nail-pierced hands
and the scarred side of Jesus…pierced by a spear.
Thomas was an ordinary man with deep and fervent love for his Lord. In light of the Scriptures, it is more fitting that we remember him, not as the doubting disciple, but as the devoted disciple. But the most important question is not how we remember Thomas, but how will we respond to Jesus? God uses all kinds of ordinary people, even pizza delivery drivers to rescue people in peril. Thomas’ undying devotion to Christ should prompt every disciple to humbly bow and boldly declare, “My Lord and my God, there’s nothing that I would not do for You.”