24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples were saying to him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”
26 After eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus *came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then He *said to Thomas, “Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing.” 28 Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus *said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.” John 20:24-29 [NASB]
Thomas the twin has come to be known as ‘doubting Thomas’. Yet he was in a situation much like ours. He was told that Jesus had risen from the dead, but he hadn’t seen it with his own eyes.
Jesus recognized that – and though he did present himself to Thomas in person; he blessed those who believe though we haven’t seen him with our own eyes.
Thomas’ statement here is remarkable. He says to Jesus, “My Lord and my God!” This is a statement of worship. It is a statement of recognition. He is declaring Jesus to be ‘lord’, to be the one in position of absolute authority over him. Think medieval lord of the manor. He is also declaring Jesus to be God.
What Jesus didn’t say at this point is even more remarkable. In Acts 14:14, Paul and Barnabas tore their clothes because they were upset that the locals thought they were Greek gods. Jesus, by contrast, doesn’t immediately deny Thomas’ declaration. He calmly accepts Thomas’ statement and his worship!
– SSXG