How doubting Thomas found faith in the risen Christ

Have you ever wanted to believe, but couldn’t quite get there? When prayers go unanswered or pain lingers, faith can feel out of reach. One of Jesus’ closest friends felt the same way—and his story shows how doubt can become worship.

Thomas had followed Jesus for years. He’d heard His teaching, seen His miracles, and even promised to die for Him. But when Jesus was crucified, everything collapsed. His Lord was dead. And when the others claimed they’d seen Him alive, Thomas couldn’t do it—he couldn’t make that leap of faith.

“Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails,” he said, “and put my hand into His side, I will not believe” (John 20:25, NKJV).

When Jesus meets the doubter

Eight days later, the disciples were gathered again—still behind locked doors, still wondering what to believe. Suddenly, Jesus stood among them. The door was locked, yet somehow He was before them. He looked straight at Thomas. No anger. No shame. Just mercy:

“Reach your finger here… Look at My hands… Put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing” (John 20:27).

In that moment, all Thomas’s doubt melted away. He didn’t need to touch anymore. Overcome, he whispered the greatest confession a human can make: “My Lord and my God!”.

Blessed are those who have not seen

Jesus replied, “Because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29).

That’s us. We weren’t in that locked room, but God has given us something just as powerful—the written testimony of those who were.

“these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.” (John 20:31)

What the risen Christ offers

Jesus didn’t only comfort a doubter; He came to save sinners. The gospel declares that “Christ died for our sins… and that He rose again the third day.” (1 Corinthians 15:3–4) His death paid the full debt our sin deserved, and His resurrection proves the work of salvation is complete.

How can you be saved?

1. Recognize your need: “All have sinned.” (Romans 3:23)
   

2. Turn and trust Jesus: Repentance means turning from sin toward God; faith means personally trusting Jesus to save you (Acts 16:31).
   

3. Rest in grace, not works: “By grace you have been saved through faith… not of works.” (Ephesians 2:8–9)
   

4. Take God’s promise: “He who hears My word and believes… has everlasting life.” (John 5:24)

Come and see for yourself

You may not see His wounds with your eyes, but the evidence is written so that you may believe. Jesus truly died for our sins and rose again so that we could be forgiven and receive eternal life.

If you’ve struggled with questions, don’t hide them—bring them to Jesus. Read John’s Gospel, ask Him to show you who He is, and take Him at His word. He still says, “Do not be unbelieving, but believing.”