Exodus 27-28
Matthew 21:1-22
“When they saw [Jesus], they worshipped Him; but some doubted.” Matthew 28:17
Do we believe in Jesus? If some of us are honest, we may have some doubt whether we truly believe in Jesus. Yet, just because we doubt, it does not mean we are disqualified from being a follower of Jesus Christ or even doing the will of God. In Matthew 28:16-17, after Jesus’s resurrection we are told, “Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw Him, they worshipped Him; but some doubted.” As the eleven disciples were worshipping Jesus, some had doubt creeping into their hearts.
Having doubt does not mean having disbelief; rather, the doubt that some of the disciples were feeling was a struggle to comprehend what they were staring at. Why? Because not only was it hard to believe that the Person they watched die a slow and painful death on the cross was alive, but the last time that some of them saw Jesus was when they were disowning Him during an unfair trial and cruel crucifixion. Now that Jesus had resurrected from the dead, they may be wondering what type of reception they would have of Him. Should they be celebrating or hiding?
Despite the doubt that some had, Jesus said to His disciples, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20).
What Jesus said is commonly known as the Great Commission. Did we notice that He said it not only to disciples who believed but also to those who doubted? This is why we should not let our doubt disqualify us from stepping into God’s mission. Jesus calls all kinds of people into His activity. He can take our fragile faith and struggle to believe and do something mighty with it. After all, a little bit of faith placed in the right object can overcome our doubts. Ultimately, it is the will of God who calls and the grace of God that will enable us to live into it.
When Jesus sends us with His authority, we walk by His strength, His power. Consider our own life, what may God be calling us to do for Him but we are overcome with doubt in our hearts? What are we afraid of or uncertain of? May we surrender the doubts we are wrestling with to Jesus, believing that He can overcome our fears and uncertainties.
Dear God, I admit that I do struggle with doubt from time to time. I surrender my doubts to You, believing that You who called will enable me to do Your will by Your strength and power. Thank You, Lord.