Thomas was a disciple of Yeshua and one of the twelve apostles.  To many he is remembered as “Doubting Thomas”, based on an event after Yeshua’s resurrection.  “Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came.  So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord!’  But he said to them, ‘Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.’  A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them.  Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’  Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; see my hands.  Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.’  Thomas said to him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ ” (John 20: 24-28).

I believe this was so by God’s Sovereign grace, for much more than what is obvious from the event.  Thomas was a twin, but his twin brother was elsewhere.  Just like Jacob who was a twin.  The nation of Israel comes from Jacob, whom God named Israel.  The chosen twin represents Israel.

All Israel wasn’t there to see Yeshua as Messiah, they heard the reports of miracles done, healings, deliverance, but they asked for a sign that they could witness.  “The Pharisees came and began to question Jesus.  To test him, they asked him for a sign from heaven. He sighed deeply and said, ‘Why does this generation ask for a sign?  Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to it.’ ” (Mark 8: 11-12).  That generation was not in the right place at the right time and they were filled with doubt; they could not see that Yeshua was Messiah. (Rom. 11:8).  They rejected Yeshua, their Messiah, but this was the fulfillment of prophecy. (Ps. 118:22; Isa. 53:3).

God will not reject His people forever.  He will save them just like all others by His grace, unmerited and unconditional.  So, Yeshua came back for Thomas; to show him the wounds in His hands and side, now healed and that He lives. This will happen again, Thomas is a sign of God’s promise to doubting Israel.  Yeshua will come back and Israel will proclaim as did Thomas, “My Lord and My God!”  This will be the grace of God shown to Israel, out of His great love and mercy.  He could have easily appeared to all the Apostles at once, but to foreshadow what is to happen to Israel, He gave us this illustration of His Sovereignty.  He saved “doubting” Thomas by grace and He will save “doubting” Israel also in grace, by revealing Himself to them.