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Doubting Thomas has become a proverbial figure in the world of faith. For some he expresses heroic honesty in the face of what appears to be a naïve embrace of an absurd claim. His courage is that of the man who refuses to surrender to “group think.”

“What do you mean Jesus rose from the dead!?”

For others Thomas expresses a failure of faith, a lack of trust in his fellow disciples. From this perspective Thomas is no hero at all, but rather a man who lacks the strength of genuine faith. That he needs to see in order to believe is not a mark courage but cowardice in the face of death.

Hearing the story of Thomas in the 21st century complicates the intention of the narrative. We confuse our struggle with believing the resurrection proclamation with Thomas’ experience. We mistakenly think issues over the improbability of the physiology of resurrection is what limits Thomas’ faith.

But this is a 21st century concern. Thomas had no problem believing God could resurrect Jesus if God wanted to. For Thomas, the Creator of the universe can do anything.

Thomas’ doubt was not rooted in scientific physiology – bodies die. Thomas’ doubt was rooted in a certain understanding of God’s character. He did not doubt Jesus’ resurrection. He doubted the notion that the Eternal Word would die at all.

The Gospel of John tells the story of how the Eternal Word became flesh in Jesus. For Thomas, this means that Jesus should not have suffered, should not have died. That Jesus died means that he was not who he said he was. The Eternal Word would not suffer and die; therefore Jesus cannot be the Eternal Word. Jesus cannot be God who dwells in the midst of us.

In other words, Thomas did not doubt the resurrection of Jesus. He doubted the death of God.

“Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands,” Thomas says. “And put my finger in the mark of the nails and in his side, I will not believe.”

Thomas doubted that God would suffer and die for him. Jesus was an imposter, a pretender, a cheat. His very death proves he was not who he claimed to be, that is, the Christ.

But then, suddenly, the crucified man stands before him in the flesh.

“Put your finger here and see my hands.”

Jesus was not demonstrating his resurrection. He was demonstrating the reality of his suffering and death. In effect, Jesus says,

“Look Thomas. Here I am. I am the resurrected Christ. As God I really did suffer for you. As God, I really did die for you. I love you that much. My resurrection proves to you that God is one whose love for you is so great, that he is not only willing to suffer and die. His love is so great he does it.”

Blessed are those who will believe how much God loves them, without having to see it. But for those who need to see how much God loves them: Look at the cross upon which Jesus died.

God loves you that much. He really, really, does.