This passage sheds light on the complexity of Thomas' character, revealing a depth of devotion often overshadowed by his later doubts. Explore Thomas' journey of faith and obedience by reading Thomas by Lucas Kitchen.Despite their reticence, Jesus’ words stab to their faith-failing hearts when he says: “I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe. Nevertheless, let us go to him."
Much like a parent motivating reluctant children, Christ demonstrates his will of iron and commands obedience. The tone of his words are unknown, but the content is that of deliberate instruction. This moment marks another in a long line of opportunities for the disciples to obey their Lord despite their mistrust. It should be noted here that Jesus is not calling into question their saving faith. That can be seen since John states that the disciples had already believed in Jesus at a previous event in Cana. A second time Jesus directly affirms that eleven of the twelve disciples, all but Judas, had believed in him.
In that same chapter, Jesus makes it plain that anyone who believes in Him has eternal life. Therefore, it was not saving faith in focus when Jesus says, "that you may believe." Instead, they doubted His judgment and ability in practicality, as is seen when they say, “and are You going there again?" It is for this purpose Jesus desires them to have a more robust belief. Augustine of Hippo put it beautifully when he said of Jesus’ words: [T]he disciples themselves, who already believed in Him, had their faith built up by miracles: not that a faith, utterly wanting till then, might begin to exist; but that what had previously come into being might be increased; … “that ye may believe;” …is to be understood as meaning, that your faith may be fuller and more vigorous.
Since his ability and judgment are in question, the disciples will gain an indispensable insight as to what Jesus was capable of but only if they obey and join him in Judea. Therefore, it is not that they would come to a first belief at what Jesus would do, but instead, the faith they already had would increase.
Although Thomas has often been derided in this story for his lack of faith, it seems that the opposite should be upheld. In the midst of Jesus’ difficult command to follow, It is Thomas that interjects these words:
Then Thomas… said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with Him.”
It is easy to see why so many have defamed Thomas' reputation over this utterance. As early as the fourth century, and possibly before, Thomas was being called a coward for what he says here. John Chrysostom viewed Thomas’ words as less than heroic. He wrote: “Some say that he desired himself to die; but it is not so; the expression is rather one of cowardice.” Chrysostom acknowledged that the debate about Thomas’ intentions had already been kindled by the fourth century. His negative view concerning Thomas' outlook has echoed down through popular discussions of Thomas even to this day. I believe many rush in to slander him because most already know of him as doubting Thomas, and therefore are unwilling to give him the benefit of the doubt. It seems that many want to flatten him to an utterly two dimensional character such that his every appearance in Scripture is marked by doubt.
The claim that Thomas was abundant in doubt at this point in the narrative seems more to be conjecture based on what is known from the later chapters of his journey than actual textual evidence present in this passage. With a closer examination, many reputable scholars have concluded that Thomas is not operating out of a doubtful disposition, but a courageous obedience. Outside of Christ himself, Thomas proves to be the single character who shows any measure of heroism in this scenario. After all, the disciples are all resistant to Jesus’ instructions to reenter Judea. None have been singled out by the text as enthusiastic about the grave turn of events. Not even John, the veritable valedictorian of disciples speaks up here. Nonetheless, Jesus’ instructions stand. It is Thomas, then, that encourages obedience when he says, “Let us also go…” Despite the overwhelming opposition to Jesus’ ministry in Judea, Thomas is the one who decides that obedience is the right course of action. It is not without measuring of the cost, as Thomas adds, “…that we may die with Him.”
Championing the notion of Thomas’ heroisms, the famous New Testament Scholar F.F. Bruce said, “If his Master is to die, Thomas has no desire to survive him.” This phrase is mirrored almost to the word by Matthew Henry in his famous commentary. In his popular Bible study series William Barclay points out, “He loved him enough to be willing to go to Jerusalem and die with him when the other disciples were hesitant and afraid.” A host of other scholars have see Thomas urging his fellow disciples to follow Jesus into Judea, even if it means death. As much as first-century disciples loved their teachers, this is a rare expression of commitment. His statement shows that Thomas was ready to die for his Messiah. After considering the evidence, it is hard to imagine how this statement could truly be anything other than a courageous call to obedience. It is hard for me to imagine showing the kind of devotion that Thomas does in these verses. From Thomas’ action I derive this lesson: To allow doubts to grow say “no.” To keep doubts away, obey.
