From the Pastor’s Study

Chester Heyer, Pastor

West Park United Methodist Church

Have you ever doubted?

According to the Apostle John “³⁰ Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. ³¹ But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:30-31).  So that you may come to believe,  O.K. let’s rephrased that slightly – so that you do not doubt.   What is doubt?  According to Webster’s College Dictionary doubt means —- 1. to be uncertain in opinion or belief —- 2. to be inclined to disbelief.  O. K. let’s move on from there and see if anyone had doubts.

The Gospel of John 20:19-29 relates two appearances by Jesus to the disciples while they were assembled as a group in the Upper Room behind a locked door.  The first occurred towards evening the day of Resurrection.  All of the disciples with the exception of Thomas were present.  Possibly and probably they were gathered to truly morn the death of their friend and teacher, Jesus, because he had been crucified.  If this is the true reason for the gathering they had doubts, doubts about the truth of what Jesus had told them concerning his returning from the dead on the third day.  There had been reliable reports to them of people seeing Jesus alive. Did they doubt the stories of seeing Jesus related by witnesses or were they so deep in mourning the loose of their friend they didn’t listen?  Suddenly Jesus is there!

At one time or another in our lives every one of us reading this has been in a similar room.  We have gathered together with friends and family to make a burden easier to bear or to help ease the pain of someone else, and just when things seem as bad as it can get as with the disciples suddenly, Jesus is there. Just when things seem the most hopeless, Jesus is there. Just when things seem impossible, Jesus is there.    We need only to have faith and believe.

Suddenly Jesus is there – in the room – in person with the disciples.  He talks with them, shows them the scars proving beyond the shadow of a doubt that he has in fact risen from the dead.  And just as suddenly He is gone.

Of course we know Thomas comes back.  They are probably all talking at once telling him that he just missed, seeing the risen Lord, Jesus Christ Himself.  And here it comes the reason for his new name, one that he will carry for eternity.  I DOUBT, unless I can see and touch the scars I WILL NOT BELIEVE.  Doubting Thomas has just been born.  Besides me have any of you ever opened your mouth said something that suddenly you wished you could take back.  TOO LATE—it’s out—it’s lose and it’s running wild.

Moving rapidly through time one week — same place – same people plus Thomas.  Suddenly Jesus is there.  Now confronted by the Living Lord and having Him repeat exactly what he, Thomas had said and telling him go ahead touch.  Thomas doesn’t touch but he believes—He doubts no longer. He confesses Jesus as his “Lord and God.”  Jesus replies “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”  Folks Jesus is talking about us.  Blessed are those who have not seen, yet believe.

Can any of us truly say we’ve never doubted.  I don’t think so?  What does the Bible say about doubting?  .” ⁶ But ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind; ^{7, 8} for the doubter, being double-minded and unstable in every way, must not expect to receive anything from the Lord. (James 1:6-8) 

             When doubt dominates our lives, when doubt draws us apart from the church, then doubt is becoming a problem and Satan is winning.  But like a coin doubt has another side, a beneficial side and that is when doubt causes us to look deeper for God, when nagging doubt sends us searching God’s Word for answers, or when that doubt forces us more fully into the fellowship with other believers.  It is at those times that even doubt can become a blessing for us.  For suddenly in the midst of doubt, Jesus is there. He can and will show you the way out of the darkest hole you can find fall into—IF ONLY YOU WILL ALLOW IT. Don’t doubt, BELIEVE  because “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe. (John 20:29b).”   because Jesus’ promise for us is “⁴⁷ Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternal life. (John 6:47).” 

Amen