Jesus entered the room, and
showed himself to his friends, Thomas missed the revealing which gave
them such unspeakable gladness. From that hour their sorrow was
changed to joy; but for the whole of another week Thomas remained in
the darkness in which the crucifixion had infolded him.

Doubt is always costly. It shuts out heavenly comfort. There are many
Christian people who, especially in the first shock of sorrow, have an
experience similar to that of Thomas. They shut themselves up with
their grief, and refuse to accept the comfort of the gospel of Christ.
They turn away their ears from the voices of love which speak to them
out of the Bible, and will not receive the divine consolations. The
light shines all about them; but they close doors and windows, and keep
it from entering the darkened chamber where they sit. The music of
peace floats on the air in sweet, entrancing strains, but no gentle
note finds its way to their hearts.

Too many Christian mourners fail to find comfort in their sorrow. They
believe the great truths of Christianity, that Jesus died for them and
rose again; but their faith fails them for the time in the hour of
sorest distress. Meanwhile they walk in darkness as Thomas did. On
the other hand, those who accept, and let into their hearts the great
truths of Christ's resurrection and the immortal life in Christ, feel
the pain of parting no less sorely, but they find abundant consolation
in the hope of eternal life for those whom they have lost for a time.

We have an illustration of the deep, tender, patient, and wise
friendship of Jesus for Thomas in the way he treated this doubt of his
apostle. He did not say that if Thomas could not believe the witness
of the apostles to his resurrection he must remain in the darkness
which his unbelief had made for him. He treated his doubt with
exceeding gentleness, as a skilful physician would deal with a
dangerous wound. He was in no haste. A full week passed before he did
anything. During those days the sad heart had time to react, to
recover something of its self-poise. Thomas still persisted in his
refusal to believe, but when a week had gone he found his way with the
others to their meeting. Perhaps their belief in the Lord's
resurrection made such a change in them, so brightened and transformed
them, that Thomas grew less positive in his unbelief as he saw them day
after day. At least he was ready now to be convinced. He wanted t