Some Still Doubted

Reading: Mathew 28; Psalm 25 16 Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them still doubted! 18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given complete authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:16-20 NLT) In Matthew’s account of the events following Jesus’ resurrection, some of the remaining eleven disciple/apostles still doubted. In John’s “locked room” account (John 20:24-29), Thomas famously doubted and then believed! Earlier, locked up in Herod’s prison awaiting execution, courageous John the Baptist experienced doubts and had questions. Jesus responded to John’s doubts by sending him words of reassurance. He responded to Thomas’ doubts by inviting him to see the wounds and to touch his resurrected body. No judgment or condemnation, only encouragement and hope! Among some of us Christ-followers the attitude has developed that no matter how you feel or what questions arise, you’ve got to fake it till you make it! You’ve got to always be positive and never allow a negative thought to arise or you’re toast. Seriously?! Friends, our faith isn’t in our faith, it’s in the resurrected Savior and Lord! It’s not “Are you a believer or a doubter?” It’s “Are you a believer who sometimes has questions and doubts?” Be a believer! And when you doubt and have questions, do what John and Thomas did: Seek an encounter with the Risen Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ! Prayer: Father, Thank you for making room in your Kingdom for believers like me who often have questions and sometimes have doubts. I do believe Jesus lives! I believe that because he lives we will live also! And I believe his promise to be with us always! I truly do! Amen!