It is not easy being the “odd duck” – the one swimming against the stream…the one dancing to your own beat.
Thomas was always seen as a being a little bit “out there.” He was not really a misfit, nor was he the “odd one out” – at least, not usually. From time to time, he could be a bit of a “strange bird.” (But then, can’t we all?)
Nor did he always display such peculiar behavioral characteristics.
Everything was changing so quickly, it was like there was no certainty. Everything was up in the air “for grabs.”
There was a time when people celebrated creativity and differences. There was a lot of talk about diversity.
But people seem to trust conformity. They like the cookie cutter mold. “The trust level” seems to “go up” – when you are “like us.” At the same time, the trust level “goes down,” if you are “radically different” from the norm. And of course, “we are the ones” who decide “what” the norm is.
I think it goes without saying that Thomas was not “endearing himself” to his compatriots. And, it should be noted: “Nor was he trying to.”
He was just being himself.
Thomas was merely asking for the same evidence – that the “others” had received – without their having to request it – in the first place!
This was risky for Thomas – in terms of his on-going relationships with the others.
I would imagine for seven long days – this had a kind of negative effect – weakening Thomas’ bonding with his fellow disciples.
I bet that room, just got smaller and smaller and smaller.
And what about the questioning looks from the others?
Certainly, he had to have noticed.
“You” with your “negative attitude” are implying that you no longer trust “us” nor are “you” willing to believe what “we” tell you.”
Well just who do you think that “you are…”
What changed?
Why are you acting and behaving differently?
Now, we are not so certain that we trust “you” and “your word” any longer, either.
Go ahead, don’t believe “us.”
I wonder if Tommy received the “silent treatment for seven long-lonely days?”
I bet it seemed (for him) like an eternity.
So much for “trust.” So much for “bonding.”
So much for “everything” we have experienced and gone through together thus far!

I thought we were tighter than this! I thought we were all more than friends.
Then, Peter denies…Judas betrays…and now, Thomas doubts…
Just what is happening “to us?” We need each other NOW more than ever and NOW we are all falling apart!
Well, just so you know, it does end well for Thomas.
You see, in all four of our Gospel accounts there is this puzzling question about Jesus’ identity. Each Gospel writer asks the self-same question: Just “who is” this Jesus of Nazareth?
The way John tells it – Thomas is “the one” – who gets to answer this question for all the gospel writers. Thomas becomes the “poster child.” He is the one who gets to answer the question. He is the one – who reveals the truth.
Thomas is the one who is singled out. He is the one to put in the last piece of the puzzle. It is Thomas who gets to deliver the final punch-line. Thomas gets the final or ultimate word!
Thomas gets to light the torch and to carry it. He gets to solve the mystery.
It is almost like – John the evangelist is saving the best for the last.
Mark, Matthew, Luke and John each in their own way continually ask the question – just who is this Jesus of Nazareth?
In John’s big, bold, crazy, symbol-laden story of Jesus – the words of Thomas echo across the millennia and for all time.
At the end of the story – and now because of their placement in the canon – at the end of the four gospel accounts – Thomas (the doubter) gets to answer the question and the great riddle of all four gospel accounts.
Who is Jesus of Nazareth? He is “My Lord and My God!” There is no one else that can say it better.
Thomas goes from unbelief to belief, from a lack of trust to total and complete trust. In five little words of summation Thomas says it all. “My Lord and my God!”