After Jesus appeared to the other disciples when Thomas was not with them, they said to Thomas, “We have seen the Lord.” But Thomas said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” (John 20:25) A week later, Jesus appeared again to His disciples and this time, Thomas was with them. After Thomas saw and touched Jesus’ hands and side, he then believed that Christ has risen from the dead. Jesus said to Thomas, “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” (John 20:29)
Some people may think that Thomas didn’t have a lot of faith; some may even compare themselves with Thomas and think that they are better than Thomas, because they say that they believe in Christ, even if they have never seen Him in person. Yet the faith we have as Christians have a lot to do with the witness of those who have actually seen the risen Christ, including Thomas. The Gospel account of the doubting Thomas was not meant to belittle Thomas, but was a message meant for future generations of Christians who won’t get a chance to see Jesus in person in their lifetimes. Without the testimony of the apostles, the other disciples and the writers of the books of the New Testament, the world would never have come to know about Jesus, much less the chance to believe in Him.
The Gospels tell us of those who have seen the risen Christ starting with Mary of Magdala (John 20:11-18, Mark 16:9-11). Jesus also appeared to two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35, Mark 16:12), and to the other disciples, in particular to the 10 apostles and then to Thomas (John 20:19-29, Mark 16:14). According to St. Paul, Jesus appeared to Cephas (Peter) and then to the twelve, and then to more than 500 brothers (1Cor 15:5-6). Hebrews 11:1 says, “Faith is the conviction of things not seen.” It describes faith as a belief in things that cannot be physically witnessed; it implies certainty that things are true, even in the absence of physical evidence.
Some people may say that it is foolish to believe in things that have no visible evidence; but to apply that notion indiscriminately to all things, regardless of what they are, could end up in a tragic loss, because there are some things that are worth believing in, despite the absence of visible evidence. One such thing is faith in Jesus Christ.
What are the benefits of faith in Christ? Let us look to the Letter of St. Paul to the Galatians for the fruits of faith, which says, “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” (Gal 5:22-23) This verse lists qualities in a person that result in a life lived in faith and guided by the Holy Spirit. Who wouldn’t want to live a life of joy and peace, patience and kindness, gentleness and self-control? Jesus’ words, “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed,” implies a two-fold blessing. On the one hand, the blessings come in the form of developing those qualities mentioned above in this life, which makes for a better way of life, and the on the other hand, the blessing of eternal life in the life to come.