Meditation: Doubt
Monday, October 15, 2012 at 12:02AM
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. (Matthew 28: 16-17)
Why doesn’t everyone include verses 16 and 17 in the “Great Commission?” I suspect because these two verses include topics rarely discussed in the life a disciple: obedience and doubt. But it’s worth taking time to meditate on doubt, especially our own.
Imagine the scene around the resurrected Jesus: his best friends giving him worship in a private setting. They saw the resurrected Lord--his physical presence, yet in some minds and hearts there was still doubt. What amazes is me is the fact their doubt did not disqualify them. Jesus still received them, and he gave the “Great Commission.”
Doubt is a solitary struggle, while most expressions of worship are outward: we sing, kneel, pray, dance, bow, read, listen, and fellowship. Others see our actions, but this passage reminds us Jesus knows our hearts and thoughts as well. What kind of doubts did some of the disciples have? Matthew doesn't say. We are left to speculate: perhaps, “I don’t belong here . . . I denied the Lord . . . Have I gone mad? . . . Is this really Jesus? . . . What will he require of me?” I believe their worship was sincere; so were their doubts.
The doubting disciples had obeyed. They had made their way to Galilee, just as Jesus instructed. Jesus did not turn away the doubters, he received their worship and included them in his mission. Disobedience would have kept them from hearing his voice; doubt did not.
What if worship is giving all of ourselves to God--even the parts that struggle to believe, to trust, to surrender? Perhaps that day the doubters discovered Isaiah’s description of Jesus was true: “A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.” (Matt. 12:20)
Earlier in his ministry Jesus told his friends, “true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth.” Some people have interpreted "truth" to mean "doctrine," but what if Jesus also meant the truth about ourselves? Here’s a meditation worthy of the week: can I bring my doubts as an act of worship?
Reader Comments (9)
Ray, I hadn't really considered the verses you mention as being part of the Great Commission. Thank you for pointing that out. I can't imagine what it would be like to never doubt or be unsure about who God is and what he's like. "I do believe; help my unbelief" is something I quote sometimes when I talk to God. He seems to want me to take faith steps into uncharted territory on a regular basis these days, so I'm saying it a lot! This morning, as I prepared to swing my feet to the floor beside my bed and hit the day running, I remembered that faith is a gift from God and not something I can set into motion every morning like some sort of wind-up toy, hoping it'll be enough to get me through the day. I much appreciate your message that God welcomes us whether our faith is strong or weak. Being honest about ourselves as an act of worship - what a wonderful thought.
Hi Marcia: For me, the amazing thing about faith is that it's both a gift and a fruit. Sometimes He is the giver, sometimes He's the grower. I trust you'll find greater faith--and the joy of worship in the days ahead. Peace to you!
We don't include them because we often have something like a statist mindset in the fellowwhip - though that is not the best way to put it. "Groupthink" might often be a good way to put it. To publically acknowledge doubt chips away at groupthink; and groupthink is the only way to form coalitions of people -- unless they are all seeing the same thing, in which case the group forms naturally and organically. And we don't all see the same thing, or even want to sometimes. Or we don't know what to point people towards for certain, as well.
First, I agree that verses 16 and 17 are important. There are reasons why Matthew would have included them, and I think you've hit on some of them very well.
But as to why we don't include them in the Great Commission? I think it's pretty simple. Jesus is giving us the commission, so we include the parts where Jesus is actually speaking. Verses 16 & 17 give (necessary) background, but they aren't part of Jesus' commissioning speech.
Hi Brad: Thanks for your perspective. And yes--the words of Jesus are important. Still, I think the background and context help us see the first followers of Jesus as flesh-and-blood, just like us.
Charles: You pose an interesting question, because I can't imagine Jesus requiring GroupThink, yet he is the greatest group-leader in history. You've given me something to think about. Peace to you!
such good insight....thank you Ray!
Thanks, Steven. Peace to you!
More for food for thought! I've been meditating in Dietrich Bonhoeffer's words "Those who obey believe." What if faith can only come through obedience? Didn't Paul have to step out of the ship before he could believe? (when Jesus walked on water and Peter asked to walk on water too). as soon as he realized what was going on, he doubted. But wasn't the doubt there in the beginning? Yet somehow, he obeys in stepping into the waters when Jesus calls him.
You're on good ground when you quote Bonhoeffer, Ashley. The "Lost Verses" of the Great Commission definitely highlight obedience as well as doubt. The disciples went to Galilee as Jesus told them. If in their doubts they had chosen not to obey his instructions, they would never have heard his commission.