Poor Thomas! Despite the incomplete picture that has overshadowed his admirable character, there is much to learn from his life with Christ. The name Thomas, from the Aramaic word te'oma meaning twin, is also referred to by the Greek equivalent, didymus. Though little is known about his family, residence, or occupation, it is certain that Thomas was a Jew, and probably a Galilean. What do we know about Thomas? He was present at the raising of Lazarus, showing his loyalty to Christ. During Jesus' last Passover, he asked the way to God the Father. He was absent when Jesus first appeared to the disciples after the resurrection, and when told of it, he was skeptical. Later, Christ appeared in his presence at least twice. Finally, he lived with the other apostles in Jerusalem before the Holy Spirit came, after which he disappears from the biblical record. In John's account, Thomas exhibited three positive traits. First, when he saw what he ought to do, nothing kept him back. When Lazarus became ill and Jesus intended to return to Judea, Thomas urged the disciples to accompany Him, even if it meant death, and backed his statement by action. Second, when he saw what he ought to do, he urgently wanted to know how to do it. At the last Passover service with Jesus Christ, he asked, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?" revealing himself as a seeker of truth and understanding. Third, when he saw what he had to believe, he urgently wanted to prove it, and once he did, he had no doubts. Not present when the other disciples saw Christ appear, Thomas refused to believe without seeing the evidence himself, stating, "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe." Thomas insisted on proof and evidence, showing a doubt that stemmed from a desire to believe. His search for truth prompted him to question until he attained personal conviction. Once convinced of Christ's resurrection eight days later, his faith was stirring, and his immediate reaction was wonderful: "My Lord and My God!" Christ's reply to him was, "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." Because of Thomas' positive character traits, God was able to open his mind and work with him, leading to his instant and strong faith. Like Thomas, we must realize who we serve and cry out in faith, "My Lord and My God!"