Q: Matthew 28:17 reports that some doubted, even when they saw and worshiped Jesus after the resurrection. If they werent sure, how could we ever be?
A: The text does not explicitly say what the target of the doubts of some of the disciples was. They see Jesus, and they worship Him -- but some doubted (Greek edistasan). This is the same word that Jesus used to describe Simon Peters disposition after Peter had attempted to walk on water (and momentarily succeeded) in Matthew 14. After plucking Simon out of the waves, Jesus asked him, Why did you doubt? (edistasas) I dont think the doubts held by some disciples in Matthew 27:17 consisted of questions like, Did Jesus really rise from the dead? any more than Peters doubt consisted of questions like, Is Jesus really walking on water?. The doubts seem to have been about the new direction in which their lives seemed to be going -- how safe was it going to be to follow Jesus now that He had been found guilty of both blasphemy and sedition? In other words, the sentence could be paraphrased this way: When they saw Him, they worshiped Him, but some were having second thoughts.
How can we avoid having similar doubts? Im not sure if we always can, or, if we can, Im not sure if it would be altogether wholesome to overfocus on our devotion to Jesus so much that we stop asking questions about down-to-earth hardships, insecurities, and risks.
But this sort of doubt, when properly expressed and reverently held, is more like a question. Its not a matter of saying I dont see how God can possibly salvage this mess, or control these waves which appear so chaotic; therefore I doubt that God will do so. Its more like saying, I dont see how God can salvage this mess or control these waves which appear so chaotic. But Jesus responds to the limits of our vision as He did to the disciples doubts: He declares His authority over all things. He gives us work to do. And He promises to be with us always.
As we do good in His name, and share the gospel, we may acquire a sense of instrumentality in the accomplishment of Gods will. While this may not answer all our questions, it may sufficiently convict us that while we know Jesus, we know what matters most -- not what, but Who.
Yours in Christ,
Waterrock
A: The text does not explicitly say what the target of the doubts of some of the disciples was. They see Jesus, and they worship Him -- but some doubted (Greek edistasan). This is the same word that Jesus used to describe Simon Peters disposition after Peter had attempted to walk on water (and momentarily succeeded) in Matthew 14. After plucking Simon out of the waves, Jesus asked him, Why did you doubt? (edistasas) I dont think the doubts held by some disciples in Matthew 27:17 consisted of questions like, Did Jesus really rise from the dead? any more than Peters doubt consisted of questions like, Is Jesus really walking on water?. The doubts seem to have been about the new direction in which their lives seemed to be going -- how safe was it going to be to follow Jesus now that He had been found guilty of both blasphemy and sedition? In other words, the sentence could be paraphrased this way: When they saw Him, they worshiped Him, but some were having second thoughts.
How can we avoid having similar doubts? Im not sure if we always can, or, if we can, Im not sure if it would be altogether wholesome to overfocus on our devotion to Jesus so much that we stop asking questions about down-to-earth hardships, insecurities, and risks.
But this sort of doubt, when properly expressed and reverently held, is more like a question. Its not a matter of saying I dont see how God can possibly salvage this mess, or control these waves which appear so chaotic; therefore I doubt that God will do so. Its more like saying, I dont see how God can salvage this mess or control these waves which appear so chaotic. But Jesus responds to the limits of our vision as He did to the disciples doubts: He declares His authority over all things. He gives us work to do. And He promises to be with us always.
As we do good in His name, and share the gospel, we may acquire a sense of instrumentality in the accomplishment of Gods will. While this may not answer all our questions, it may sufficiently convict us that while we know Jesus, we know what matters most -- not what, but Who.
Yours in Christ,
Waterrock
