During a recent run, I was listening to a book and found myself stopping to ponder a piece of Scripture that perhaps no one would find worth pondering but me.

I don’t even remember the reason the author quoted the following section of John’s gospel, but I’ll never forget the lesson the Holy Spirit showed me in it.

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, emphasis mine)

It’s the oddest things that stand out to me, and in this passage, I couldn’t stop wondering why Thomas didn’t just stick his finger in the hole in Jesus’ side? I know, it sounds random, but if he was going to put his finger in the nail marks, why not just put the same finger in his side?

This post won’t give you an answer because I don’t have one, but asking that question made me realize that the wounds of Jesus are big enough to handle the doubts and questions we have about Jesus! The nail marks were bigger than the finger-sized doubt, but the bigger doubt represented by Thomas’ entire hand needed a bigger wound.

I don’t know what your doubts are, but I’m sure you’ve got them, and I’m even more sure that what Jesus accomplished on the cross provides more than enough room for them and evidence to overcome them.

So do what Thomas did — reach out to the very One you’re doubting and investigate who he claims to be. I have no doubt (pun intended) that you’ll say the same thing Thomas did when the wounds of Jesus swallowed up the doubts in his mind.

“My Lord and my God!”