Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”
Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although 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, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
John 20:24-29
In our daily lives, doubt can actually be a gateway to faith by becoming an element to deeper trust and intimacy with God. The story of 'Doubting Thomas' in John 20 teaches us that Jesus meets us in our uncertainties with compassion and understanding. Instead of letting doubt construct walls between us and God, Thomas' story challenges us to bring our doubts openly to him. In this Sunday's Brooklyn message, Pastor Amy Perez illustrates how God's delays are often intentional, designed to grow our faith and reveal His glory. As we navigate our own doubts, we're invited to trust in God's mindfulness of us, remembering that He hears our every prayer and cares deeply for our struggles.
The desire behind doubt
- Every doubt that we carry about God, for the most part, is rooted in something we desperately want to be true. Doubting God also keeps us safe from what we fear most: disappointment
- Thomas missed the encounter, and now doubt becomes a wall he can hide behind.
- Your doubt may actually be proof that you want Jesus more than you realize. It’s not coldness toward God. It's hunger, hurt, and hope fighting inside you.
- When we are hopeless and hurting, experiencing loss or loneliness, doubt is the armor we put on to protect our wounded hearts. But God never intended us to handle our pain alone.
“He heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds.”
Psalm 147:3
- Lament invites us to bring our grief, anger and unanswered questions directly to God—not to hide them, not to fake happiness but to protest what’s broken and remember who God is in the midst of it.
- Even as we bring our doubts and grief to Him, we must remember that God is not a vending machine, obligated to give us what we ask, when we ask for it. Real love requires freedom.
- Behind every doubt is a desire, and we can either aim that desire at the gifts of God’s hands or at the gift of God Himself.
“Hope deferred makes the heart sick.”
Proverbs 13:12
- Hope deferred means waiting prolonged, and this points out a very human truth about us: we have timelines. Our human hope comes with due dates.
- When you trust God, waiting is joy, gladness, full of delight.
What if God does feel distant? Thomas had to wait too, and in the waiting, he learned…
He is mindful of us
“When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?”
Psalm 8:3-4
- One of the hardest things to believe — and one of the truest — is that the God who created all things also thinks about you. Not just once in a while, but constantly, intentionally, lovingly.
- Jesus didn’t need to come back for Thomas; all the others had seen and believed. But Jesus also didn’t need to wait for eight days before telling Thomas.
- Jesus doesn’t delay out of cruelty or carelessness, instead his waiting is a sign of his care. Jesus wants us to see: the waiting is part of the believing.
- Jesus' delays are not absence; they are invitations to deeper trust.
- There is more done in the waiting than in the immediacy of miracles; miracles do not form character but endurance does.
- Jesus knew exactly what Thomas had said—even though Thomas never addressed Him directly. This wasn’t eavesdropping; it was divine attentiveness.
“Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.”
1 Peter 5:7
- God knows what troubles us, the doubts that plague us, but more than just muttering them to ourselves, we are to cast them on Him
- Just like waiting, the casting grows our trust and shows us who God really is.
But what if I feel like my faith is too weak? Like I’ll never be "enough" for Jesus?
Help me with my unbelief!
Jesus asked the father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. It has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if you are able to do anything, help us! Have compassion on us!” Jesus said to him, “If you are able! All things can be done for the one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out, “I believe; help my unbelief!”
Mark 9:21-24
- Doubt doesn’t disqualify you from the mission of God.
- Belief is not about mustering up enough faith, it’s about risking the faith we have. Because ultimately, it’s not your ability that matters — it’s God’s.
- We like to center ourselves in the narrative, but what if we put God there instead? We are not lovable because of our own merit. We are lovable because of God’s great capacity to love.
- God gives because he’s generous. God forgives because he’s merciful. God loves because He is love.
- So our faith really can be the size of a mustard seed; it’s in our weakness that he’s made strong.
Dinner Party Questions:
- How does the concept of doubt as 'an element of faith' rather than its opposite challenge your understanding of faith? How might this perspective change the way you approach moments of uncertainty in your spiritual journey?
- How does the concept of lament, as discussed in the sermon, differ from simply complaining? How might incorporating lament into your spiritual practice affect your relationship with God?
- How does the father's cry in Mark 9, 'I believe; help my unbelief,' resonate with your own faith journey? In what areas of your life might you need to make a similar plea?
Put It Into Practice:
- This week, try writing a personal lament to God, expressing your doubts, fears, or disappointments.
- Each day, take a few minutes to reflect on how God has been mindful of you, even in small ways.
- Like Thomas, practice declaring "My Lord and my God" in moments of doubt or uncertainty.
