Is God real or just fake?

Worth to learn from Thomas

"Unless I shall see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my fingers into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe." (John 20:24-25).

At times Christians, better described as believers in Christ, may ask themselves whether God is real leave alone atheists.
When we come across disappointments and crisis in this life, we might feel just like Thomas did - Is God real or ordinary person like others say that he is just like a man who roamed around Jerusalem. When I read the life story of Thomas, I found many similarities with my character and observed a few interesting things worth to learn!

Who is Thomas?

Thomas being one among the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ was willing to give his life for the Lord.

John 11:8 His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?

John 11:11-15 These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.

John 11:16 Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.

Thomas was once ready to give his life for God. He has seen the miracles of Jesus when He was alive. Later Thomas was filled with unbelief. He was discouraged. He had doubts whether God is real.
Doesn’t it sound familiar? God has done miracles in our life yet when we come across new problems, we may think those once-upon-miracles are just co-incidence and luck.

Is it hard to believe Others’ Testimony?

John 20:24-25 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.

Sometimes we find it very difficult to believe others’ testimony about their encounter with God. Here we see Thomas, also known as Doubting Disciple, doubting his fellow disciples. When somebody gives testimony about the goodness of God in the form of a new job, healing from cancer, blessed with baby after many years, new home etc. you may have doubts whether God can do the same to you.

What was Jesus’ response to Thomas?

John 20:26-27 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.

I like this part because Jesus Christ was not angry with Thomas for his unbelief. But Jesus came back after eight days to rescue the one lost sheep. Today you may be a lost sheep just like Thomas filled with doubts and depression. But Jesus comes to rescue you. This time He will give you a personal encounter not somebody else testimony alone.

Luke 15:3-7 "Which of you men, if you had one hundred sheep, and lost one of them, wouldn’t leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one that was lost, until he found it?  When he has found it, he carries it on his shoulders, rejoicing".

Jesus knows your problems!

It is amazing Jesus come to the room and addressed Thomas face-to-face.
Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side:
We read later, Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"
Jesus was not there when Thomas said to his fellow disciples "Unless I shall see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my fingers into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe."
Jesus knows our thoughts, our weakness, our desires and our dreams. He is not judgmental but full of grace and truth. Let us draw near to Him – He will help our unbelief.

Thomas in India

Nothing could stop Thomas from serving God the rest of his life. We read about the Great Commission.

Matthew 28:16-20 "Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.  When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

St.Thomas was perhaps the only Apostle who went outside the Roman Empire to preach the Gospel. He also crossed the largest area, which includes the Persian Empire and India.

It is believed that he preached gospel in south India and the early Christians were called as “Thomas Christians”.
At the St. Thomas Day celebration in New Delhi on December 18, 1955, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the then President of India, said: "St. Thomas came to India when many of the countries of Europe had not yet become Christian, and so those Indians who trace their Christianity to him have a longer history and a higher ancestry than that of Christians of many of the European countries."