LIVING WORD DEVOTIONAL
By Pastor Mensa Otabil
 
Wednesday 8th April 2026

THOMAS DOUBTED

Scripture Reading:* John 20
 
> _Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” *John 20:24–25*_
 
Thomas was not there when Jesus appeared to resolve the confusion of His disciples. He was where the disciples had been before they saw Jesus alive with proof.
 
His story has profound implications for those of us who were not physically present to see the resurrected Jesus. What should be the basis of our faith? What should we ask for before we believe in Jesus as our Lord and Saviour?

Thomas heard the word.

He was one of the twelve whom Jesus had chosen to spread His message. Thomas had spent some years with Jesus and heard Him speak about both His death and resurrection. He was not at the crucifixion of Jesus yet believed the reports of the death of Jesus. He believed those who reported that a soldier had pierced the side of Jesus with a spear. All this, Thomas believed without asking for any physical evidence.

Thomas did not believe the word.

 When Thomas heard the witness of those who had seen the resurrected Lord, he chose to disbelieve them. The man who believed the report of Jesus' death did not believe the report of His resurrection. Here, we see Thomas’ selective belief system. He believed what was comfortable for him to believe and rejected what was difficult for him to believe.
 
Many like Thomas choose what they want to believe. Some believe Jesus was a good man but cannot believe that He is the Son of God. Others believe that He is the Son of God but not God. Some believe He is a way to heaven but cannot believe that He is the ONLY way to heaven.  
 
What do you believe about Jesus? Do you believe everything about Him? What about the word of God? Do you believe the parts that are convenient to you, or do you believe the full counsel of God revealed in His word?

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, your Written Word is you speaking to me. I receive the fullness of your word as truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.