By David Peddy

John Thomas Peddy
Born: 6/30/25
Time: 3:16pm
Weight: 6 lbs 13oz

I took a few days off from sending devotionals to welcome my second son into the world. We named John Thomas after my father and my father in law. He got both of their first names. My wife and I agree we hope he carries the good traits from our fathers, because both of those men are top tier, solid as a rock, God loving men. They both have served the kingdom and still do today, helping others and sharing Christ. So we named JT with expectations. Expectations to be like his grandfathers and to honor them by carrying their names well. He is also named after the disciples John (the one who Jesus loved) and Thomas (the one who doubted).

John Thomas was born at 3:16pm. It didn’t take long for us to put his name with one of the most famous scriptures of the Bible. John 3:16. This is how I have it memorized:

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him, shall not perish, but will have everlasting life.”

I’m not sure which translation this is, but it’s remained with me since I learned it as a child. John 3:16 is the gospel wrapped up in one verse: God loves us, He sent His son to die for us. If we believe in Him, we will live eternally in heaven. It’s the mic drop of scriptures.

John Thomas weighed 6lbs 13oz at birth. John 6:13 is the last scripture in the story of Jesus feeding the five thousand. “So they picked up the pieces and filled twelve baskets with scraps left by the people who had eaten from the five barley loaves.”
John 6:13 NLT.

This verse is an example of God’s provision and God’s mercy toward those who follow Him. The people were tired and hungry and Jesus wanted to feed them because He loved them. He also wanted to show them mercy. It also shows us that God provides for his servants. Notice, there were twelve baskets of food left over, one for each of the twelve disciples to have a basket.

John Thomas was born on June 30, 2025. So let’s look at John 6:30 and John 20:25.

John 6:30 says, “They answered, “Show us a miraculous sign if you want us to believe in you. What can you do?”
John 6:30 NLT

Right after the miracle of feeding the 5,000, more people found Jesus and began asking him to perform miracles. They wanted Jesus for his provision, but not because they understood Him. Maybe there were doubting like the disciple Thomas would later? Maybe they were focused more on the gift than the giver? At either rate, both would be reflections of how we treat God too often: with our doubt and selfishness.

Fast forward to John 20:25. This is the moment that Thomas doubts the resurrection of Jesus when his fellow disciples tell Thomas that the Lord had appeared to them.

“They told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But Thomas replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.””
John 20:25 NLT

Thomas is like us. Despite walking with Jesus and seeing miracles performed, Thomas was still just a man. And he doubted like we do. He had a human moment and made this bold statement. Eight days later Jesus appeared and told Thomas “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!””
John 20:27 NLT

People say there’s power in a name. I wouldn’t go so far to say my child’s name has power. But there’s no doubt there’s power in the name of Jesus. And power in the word.