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

We always look at the apostle Thomas as the Doubter, the one who needed to see it to believe it.  Thomas raised some questions when everyone around him was proclaiming the risen Lord and he was the only one who didn't see Jesus in the flesh.  So why did Thomas get an appearance from Christ and we don't?

First of all, Christ came to Thomas in the flesh because he could.  It was all part of the 40 day resurrection plan to visit 500 or more people face-to-face.  Thomas may have felt left out and asked for very reasonable and do-able proof for his faith.  Sometimes doubters today ask for proof that just isn't part of God's plan - like winning the lottery or raising someone from the dead.  Jesus had not ascended to heaven and was "in town" so why not drop in and see Thomas?  Thomas wasn't asking for much.

Christ came to him because Thomas was a doubter, not a skeptic.  Doubters need a little proof to make sure.  Skeptics wrestle with truth, fighting to make it not true.  Gideon, the army general who put the fleece out asking for it to be wet with dew and the ground dry (and vice versa), needed some proof before he risked his life and lives of others.  Once he got what he asked for, he believed and fought.  Skeptics, like the Pharisees, saw the miracles but wrestled over insignificant details.  No amount of proof would ever make a difference.  Thomas and the other disciples needed a little extra confirmation because they were going to martyred for their faith.

Thomas had more faith than we think.  When Jesus and his apostles went to visit Lazarus a week before Jesus' crucifixion, Thomas said this:

Then Thomas (also known as Didymus ) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”  John 11:16

Thomas was willing to die for Christ a week before in the face of growing opposition.  Thomas knew there was a God and Jesus was his Son.  All he asked for was a little nudge in his faith.  Some today who ask for proof start at zero faith and want 100% confirmation.

Thomas also acts the poster child for those who need just a little more proof.  God promises to come to our doors and knock.  He will offer the proof we need if it will help.  If it won't help and we won't answer his call, then why bother?  Today we hear of people who believe because God visited them in a dream, or spoke to their hearts during a sermon, or witnessed events happen in such a way the person knew God was behind it.  God does make personal house calls today in ways that are needed...if it will make a difference.

Jesus responded to Thomas' statement of faith in John 20.

Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”  John 20:29

Being Thomas and receiving physical proof is NOT the best and only way.  Jesus acknowledged that those who believe without seeing actually have more faith than the apostles.  They trust more and in return receive more blessing.  Would you rather have more proof or more blessing?