Some worshiped but doubted

Some worshiped but doubted

SCRIPTURE:

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 

Matthew 28:16-17

OBSERVATION:

Up the mountain the eleven disciples went, hearts beating with excitement in anticipation.  And then they saw Him, their resurrected Master and Lord, they instinctively fell in worship. Strangely, Matthew records at this point that some doubted, an irony that has intrigued many Christians through the ages.

How could anyone possibly doubt when they saw with their own eyes before them the risen Lord? After seeing so many miracles done by the Lord as they journeyed with Him, why would they doubt that He could raise from the dead? The Lord had commanded the storm to be still. He has walked on water. He had raised Lazarus from the dead? Why would they doubt that it was the Lord before them? What was it that they were actually doubting?

One possibility could be that the Lord looked somewhat different in His resurrected body. The Apostle Paul describes the resurrected body as a spiritual body, an imperishable body. The disciples on the Road of Emmaus did not recognize Jesus, and Mary Magdalene in the garden also thought Jesus was the gardener until He called her. Perhaps they saw the difference and were afraid.

No matter what, the fact that some of the disciples doubted shows their humanity and the proneness of our human faith to waver. Even in worship, we may be tempted to doubt. Even with the Lord Himself standing before us, there still may be flickers of doubt in our minds. The Bible is completely honest, recording not only the successes but also the failures and weaknesses of even God’s choicest servants.

APPLICATION:

The fact is, each of us have different faith levels, and most of us may fall into doubt at some point or other in our Christian walk. However, the call for us here, is to press on in spite of our doubt, to continue to worship the Lord, to continue to follow Him. In the Psalms, quite often, the Psalmist starts in a downcast mood, but as he perseveres in worshiping and seeking the Lord, his faith grows and he always finishes by praising God!

A lot had happened to the disciples in those last few days. They had seen their hopes dashed in great sorrow when Jesus had been crucified. They had been filled with fear that they would also meet the same fate as their master. Perhaps they still had not understood fully why Jesus had to die, and were afraid to be disappointed again. Abraham wavered in his faith when he lied about Sarah, and when he took the path of Hagar to get an heir. The important thing is that he did not give up. His faith was not perfect but he pressed on, he continued to believe, and the Lord.

PRAYER:

Blessed Lord Jesus, Resurrected, raised to life, victorious!

You conquered death, Yes, You ascended so glorious!

Strengthen my faith, my heart, precious, holy, Lord!

Let my doubts fade, let me grow strong,

Even as I behold Your presence, Your love, marvelous Lord!

In Jesus name, Amen.