Thomas was one of Jesus' disciples. He has been with Jesus from the beginning of Jesus' Ministry until His ascension to Heaven. At the time when Jesus was arrested and taken to trial and crucifixion, all the disciples including Thomas, except Peter, deserted Jesus because of their fear that the Jewish leaders and their followers might arrest them for being followers of Jesus.
The only disciple who followed Jesus at a distance throughout the trial and crucifixion was Peter, but even he denied knowing Jesus three times when a few bystanders confronted and questioned him about his being one of the followers of Jesus.
Thomas did not believe that Jesus could come back to life after His death (just as He promised). So in unbelief he slipped farther away from the group even though Jesus had foretold that He will be killed and three days later He will rise from the dead and meet them again.
On the evening of the first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, 'Peace be with you!' After He said this, He showed them His hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord (John 20:19-20).
"Now Thomas (called Didymus), on of the twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, 'We have seen the Lord!'
But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it" (John 20:24-25).
Thomas did not trust them either. He was genuinely sincere. He really wanted to make sure that Jesus truly rose from the dead just as He prophesied.
A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them.
Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" Then He said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.
Thomas said to him,"My Lord and my God!"
On the spot in total amazement and with full conviction Thomas worshiped Jesus as his Lord and Savior.
Then Jesus told him, because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.
When I read this, I said to myself that I am satisfied with what Thomas said here.
He is my trustworthy witness to the fact that Jesus truly rose from the dead. I don't need any further proof. I took Thomas at his word and believed that Jesus had risen from the dead even though I did not see him with my own eyes.
Thomas serves as our eyewitness even today. He was with Jesus as one of His disciples yet he had doubts and He wanted to make sure that Jesus truly rose from the dead. And he did that on our behalf. What more evidence do we need? This testimony of Thomas recorded in the Bible is for our benefit.
This astounding encounter with Jesus motivated this once skeptic to take this message to India and proclaim it to the people there. As a result thousands of people received Jesus as their Savior and Lord in the South Indian States of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Eventually when some skeptics challenged him to denounce his faith, he refused. So they murdered him. That was the extent of the impact of his conviction and commitment.
The Bible further says,
"Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life (eternal life) in his name" (John 20:30-31).
"It is by grace you have been saved through faith and this is not from yourselves it is the gift of God -- not by works, so that on one can boast" (Ephesians 2:8).
Thomas is our trustworthy eyewitness.
After hearing the testimony of Thomas you may be saying I like to receive Jesus as my Savior and Lord. If that is your desire here is how you could receive Christ. If you are already a believer in Jesus, then share this Good News with others who have not yet heard.