Adapted from a sermon by Marcus Bateman and preached at 27th April 2025 at Beyton Suffolk.
When we think of the disciple Thomas, many of us immediately think: Doubting Thomas. It’s become shorthand for skepticism—someone who refuses to believe without seeing the proof.
But Thomas deserves a second look. In fact, his story might be more relatable than we think.
Faith Isn’t Always Certain
During Holy Week, many of us reflected on lament—the idea that it’s okay to bring our raw, honest emotions to God. That honesty continues in Thomas’s encounter with the risen Jesus. When the other disciples tell him they’ve seen the Lord, Thomas doesn’t just nod and smile. He says what many of us would probably be thinking: I’ll believe it when I see it.
And who could blame him?
It’s easy to forget that none of the disciples initially believed the resurrection reports. They believed when they saw. Thomas just wanted what they had: a real, personal encounter with Jesus.
Doubt Can Be a Gift
We tend to think of doubt as the opposite of faith—but what if it’s actually part of the journey?
In daily life, doubt can protect us. It’s the reason we don’t fall for phishing scams or accept every headline at face value. Doubt makes us ask questions, seek truth, and think deeply. It’s not weakness—it’s discernment.
Even in our spiritual lives, doubt can be the doorway to deeper understanding. Like when you second-guess a decision and, in the process, clarify your reasons and values. In that way, doubt doesn’t have to paralyze us. It can actually propel us forward.
Jesus Meets Us Where We Are
What’s most striking about Jesus’s response to Thomas is what He doesn’t do. He doesn’t shame him. He doesn’t say, “How dare you doubt me?” Instead, Jesus says gently, “Put your finger here. Look at my hands.” It’s an invitation, not a condemnation.
Faith isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about staying close enough to keep seeking. Thomas stuck around—and because he did, he saw the risen Christ for himself.
That same grace is extended to us.
Life Isn’t Perfect—And That’s Where God Shows Up
We live in an age where imperfection is under a microscope. Whether in politics, relationships, or personal goals, we’re constantly reminded of where we fall short. But faith reminds us that God doesn’t wait for the perfect version of us to show up. He meets us in the mess, the confusion, even the doubt.
As C.S. Lewis said, “Faith is the art of holding on to things your reason has once accepted, in spite of your changing moods.” Doubt doesn’t mean we’re doing it wrong. It means we’re human.
Final Thought: Stay Close
In the end, Thomas doubted—but he didn’t walk away. He stayed near enough to be found. That’s the invitation to all of us: bring your questions, bring your uncertainties—but stay close.
Because often, in the very act of doubting, we come face to face with the truth.
And that changes everything.