Do not be unbelieving, but believing. John 20:27 (NKJV)
Thomas was a pessimist. Most of the few recorded comments from him demonstrate this. But, he loved Jesus. He was even willing to die with him. When Jesus announced in John 11 that he wanted to head back toward Jerusalem, the disciples were trying to talk him out of it. "They want to stone you. Why go there?" Thomas' comment was "Let's go. We may as well all die together." In other words, if he was going to die, he might as well do it with Jesus.
When the disciples told him they had seen Jesus, he didn't believe them. And true to form he said "I won't believe you until I touch his wounds." Interestingly, Jesus takes him up on the challenge. He shows up, focuses on Thomas and says "Go ahead. Touch away."
It blows me away that here is this pessimistic, doubting person and Jesus makes sure he's on board. He had already talked to the other 10, why spend the time to convince this one? Most of us would look at someone like that and assume he's not going to amount to much so we should move on. Jesus was listening to Thomas. Thomas' comment about not believing wasn't said in a prayer. He didn't ask God to prove anything; he was simply talking to his friends. Thomas received individualized, crafted just for him, attention from Jesus. We all do.
After Jesus addressed Thomas' concerns he said "Do not be unbelieving, but believing." In other words "OK. I addressed your concerns. What is your excuse?" Whether you are an extrovert or introvert, a pessimist, optimist or realist, Jesus is showing up each and every day talking to you in just the way you need to hear him. Why? Because, it is important to him that each and every one of us believes in who he is.
What is your “Thomas” excuse? Jesus is listening.
Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:29 (NKJV)