The Daily Devotional Podcast

Risen - 9 | John 20:24–29

• Waypoint Church

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This reflection reveals that Jesus does not reject honest doubt but meets it with invitation, drawing people toward belief through relationship rather than condemnation. It invites us to bring our questions to Him with honesty, trusting that even doubt can become a place where faith grows.

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“May the Lord bless you and keep you — and may His presence guide you this week.”


SPEAKER_01

Today I'll be reading John twenty, verses twenty four through twenty nine. One of the twelve disciples, Thomas, nicknamed the twin, was not with the others when Jesus came. They told him, We've seen the Lord, but he replied, I won't believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and they placed my hand into the wound in his side. Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked, but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. Peace be with you, he said. And then he said to Thomas, put your finger here and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound at my side. Don't be faithless any longer. Believe. My Lord and my God, Thomas exclaimed. Then Jesus told him, You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.

SPEAKER_00

How do you interact with doubt?

SPEAKER_01

Both in life and in your faith. Some people push away from ideas with confidence, others hesitate quietly, unsure of what they believe or what they're ready to accept. Thomas seems to fall into that second group. When the other disciples tell him they've seen the Lord, he doesn't immediately join them in belief. He doesn't pretend to be convinced. Instead he speaks plainly. Until I've seen the nail marks in his hands and put my fingers where the nails were, I will not believe. He gives no attempt to soften it. He names exactly what he needs. A week later the disciples are together again. This time Thomas is with them. The doors are still locked, the fear has not fully disappeared, and once again Jesus stands among them. Peace be with you. Then he turns directly to Thomas. He repeats Thomas' own words back to him. Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe. Jesus doesn't dismiss Thomas. He doesn't shame him for needing to see. He meets him in the place where he struggled. Thomas's response is one of conviction and love. My Lord and my God. Doubt gives way to recognition. Not because Thomas reasoned his way there, but because he encountered the risen Jesus. And then Jesus speaks words that extend beyond the room that they're in. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. Faith is not always going to look like Thomas's moment. Most people will not stand in a room and touch the wounds of Jesus. Yet the invitation remains the same to trust. Not without reason, not without witness, but without requiring every question to be resolved first. Thomas' story shows that doubt does not place someone outside the reach of Jesus. It shows that even doubt is a place where Jesus can meet them.

SPEAKER_00

Before I close in prayer, here's a question to wrestle with.