St. Thomas, Apostle and Martyr

Martyrdom of Thomas, Peter Paul Rubens

Today is the shortest day of the year—the winter solstice. It is also the annual feast day of Thomas, unfortunately remembered as “Doubting Thomas.” On this day, dedicated to his memory, I would like to rehabilitate his good name.

In the Bible, Thomas is mentioned four times besides being listed among the Twelve. First comes John 11. When Jesus announced His intention to go back to Judea where they had just tried to kill Him, all the disciples except one tried to change His mind. They put safety above doing God’s will.

But not Thomas. He exhorted his fellow disciples, “Let us also go that we may die with Him." His intrepid courage found its way into one of our most beloved hymns. “Let us also die with Jesus since by death He conquered death” (Let Us Ever Walk with Jesus, v. 3).

Second, we read in John 14 that, on the night in which He was betrayed, Jesus told His disciples: “I am going to prepare a place for you,” and “you know the way to where I am going” (John 14:2 & 4). Thomas responded, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the Way?”

This question set up one of Jesus’ most memorable teachings: “I Myself Am the Way, the Truth and the Life.” You don't need to have a roadmap of your life to walk with Jesus. His way is neither a map nor a plan. Jesus Himself is the Way. Stay with Him and you will be safe—even if He is walking into the lion’s den.

Of course, the most well-known story of Thomas began on Easter evening when the risen Jesus appeared to the disciples while Thomas was absent. Afterward, when they told him of the risen Lord, Thomas famously replied, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe” (John 20:25).

I love Thomas for taking this uncompromising stand. He was neither gullible nor credulous. By being bull-headed, Thomas’ witness to Jesus’ resurrection is powerfully strengthened. 

Jesus, far from being angry with Thomas, eagerly guided him: “Put your finger here and see my hands. Put out your hand and place it into My side” (John 20:27). Jesus also wants you to probe the science of His claims. Faith in the One who is Himself the Truth can only be strengthened by true science.

Caravaggio, The incredulity of Thomas

The fourth gospel story involving Thomas is recorded in John 21. He is fishing with Peter when Jesus stands on the shore and leads them into a miraculous catch of fish. It happened at the crack of dawn. 

That brings us to today's date. December 21 is the day when the Sun is at its lowest ebb. From here on out every day will be brighter than the one before. It is like the dawn of a new year. All over the world, people look to the rising sun for light and hope.

After that morning on the shore of Galilee, the Bible says no more about Thomas. But that does not mean there is no more to be said. When the apostles left Jerusalem to bring Christ to the nations, Thomas traveled east—toward the rising sun.

Oral histories tell us that only Thomas, of all the apostles, left the Roman Empire. He made it to the southwest coast of India. There he built Hindu Christianity. And there, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, he received a martyr’s death.

We are told that Thomas was speared to death. What a beautiful picture to think that he who placed his hand in Jesus’ pierced side, was himself pierced by a spear. By one spear hole, he confessed his Lord and God. By a second spear hole he received the martyr’s crown. “Let us gladly die with Jesus since by death He conquered death.”

San Thome Basilica Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India