The Character of Thomas - Integrity

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." John 20: 25

"I will never believe", said Thomas. Strong words these, coming from an Apostle. Indeed words that sound rebellious and arrogant, yet they were mere protests of a pained heart. Yes it was unbelief, as the Lord points out later, but the unbelief expressed so plainly gave insight into another character trait of our
Apostle Thomas.

Thomas's integrity of character shone through these words. They expressed his mind. His face and his words were mirrors of his mind. There was no diplomacy, no tact, no craft or deceit in his thoughts. What he felt in his heart, came out in his words. Earlier on the road to Jerusalem, when the same Thomas said "Let
us also go, that we may die with Him" that was another instance of Thomas speaking his mind. Just like that day, even on this day which was the setting of this verse, Thomas spoke from his heart. That is how Thomas lived. That is how Thomas was.

The integrity of character of St.Thomas shone through

Perhaps that was the single most important factor for the Lord to make the second appearance just for Thomas eight days later. The Lord did chastise Thomas then, but Christ knew the heart of this beloved disciple, the purity of the heart, the integrity of the character compelled the Christ to come again.

"I will never believe", said Thomas, and he meant it. I keep thinking - what would have happened, if the Lord had not appeared again? Would Thomas the Apostle have moved away from the rest? In that case, what would been our fate, we who are from the far lands of India?

Thankfully for Thomas, thankfully for us, the Lord did come to Thomas. And Thomas did believe. And what a testimony to faith that belief was to be! The Church of India bears the living testimony to the faith of Thomas. Haleluiah!

Let us pray that we grow into a heart as pure as Thomas, into a character as pure, as honorable as that of Thomas, so that even in weak moments of unbelief, the Lord sees our hearts and arrives to hold us from falling.


Character of Thomas : Shaped by His Nail Marks

Src: ICON