“They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread. While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” Luke 24:33-41 NIV
What Are Some Things That Cause Us to Doubt Jesus?
- Our Humanity
In many ways we’re following the same path of those in the Bible:
- Gideon(Judges 6:36-40)
- David(Psalm 13:1-4)
- AbrahamandSarah(Genesis 18:9-12)
- Jeremiah(Jeremiah 20:7-9)
- Thomas(John 20:24-31)
“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!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” John 20:24-31 NIV
- Our need for absolute knowledge(Luke 1:34)
“For now, we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.” 1 Corinthians 13:12 ESV
“Sometimes a person is tempted to think, I can’t become a Christian because I still have doubts. I’m still not sure. But as long as doubts exist, as long as the person is still uncertain, that is the only time faith is needed. When the doubts are gone, the person doesn’t need faith anymore. Knowledge has come.” John Ortberg
- Our blindly believedesire
“Meanwhile those deep doubts, those deep questions, didn’t get answered in a satisfactory way.” The church told him “Don’t doubt, just believe,” you don’t really resolve the doubts. They tend to resurface in a more toxic form.” Philip Yancey
What Are Healthy Ways to Respond to Doubt?
- Focuson God
- Peter(Matt 14:22-33)
- Mary(Luke 1:34-38)
- David(Psalm 13:4-6)
“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-24 NIV
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.” James 1:5-8 NIV
- Celebrate/Welcomeyour doubts of Jesus: Use your doubts to turn your heart to God
- Jacob wrestled with God
“And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement.” Luke 24:41
“Be merciful to those who doubt” Jude 22
“Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, ‘I believe; help my unbelief!’” Mark 9:24 ESV
“Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing 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 28:17