Thomas made two contradictory statements, one after the other. One expressed unbelief: ‘Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in his side, I will not believe‘ (John 20:25). The other was a marvelous proclamation of faith in Jesus: ‘My Lord and my God!‘ (John 20:28). Thomas was divided in himself. He was a believer: he had believed in Jesus, followed him and become a disciple. His actions arose out of his faith. But when faced with the crisis brought about by the death of Jesus, his faith faltered and failed him. He was cast into doubt and unbelief. Jesus himself overcame Thomas’s doubt and unbelief by speaking to him and showing him his hands, feet and side (John 20:27). Jesus revived Thomas’s faith.
Often we are divided in ourselves. Part of us believes but part of us battles with doubts. Our faith is constantly under challenge and attack. However, although we can think that our faith is weak, it is actually more robust than we imagine. It may be bruised and weakened; yet it is still there, needing only to be revived.