Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.” vss. 16-17
Matthew 28:16-17
The gospels are amazing in their depiction of the disciples. There seems to be no effort to gloss over their fears, doubts, and squabbles. They regularly miss the point of Jesus’ parables and never do figure out the purpose of his ministry. To the end they keep thinking that he came to restore the kingdom of Israel. Matthew has them returning to their homeland in Galilee after the resurrection as Jesus had directed, and there on a mountain he appears to them one last time. And then we see these words, “… but some doubted.” And here’s the really amazing part: Their doubt doesn’t seem to have mattered a bit to Jesus–they all get the same commission. And that’s how it has continued to be among the people of God. Jesus works with whoever shows up, and if we have our doubts about his presence, it doesn’t make any difference. The Spirit uses fragile vessels in the work of ministry, and there’s a place for us all. What has happened in Jesus is bigger than any of us, and there’s plenty of work to be done. And so we go, the very presence of Christ, full of enthusiasm and plagued by doubt, and the whole world is blessed by our presence and our good news of unconditional love.
Thought for the Day: When do doubts show up for me?
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