Photo by John Moeses Bauan on Unsplash
By Mike Chaffin
And He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? Luke 24:38
Sometimes we have trouble asking a hard question to a friend. Especially one that might embarrass them or make them feel uneasy. However, Jesus never does. He gets to the core of the issue with a straightforward question.
I am not sure any of us go through life without doubts arising, clouding our thoughts and ideas. Business dealings, financial decisions, and family dilemmas all can sprout a root of doubt in our hearts.
Jesus’ question here is about spiritual doubt. Having just defeated death, he had yet to appear to his disciples. He does so in dramatic fashion, appearing in the locked room with them. They think they must be seeing his ghost, but He is there in the flesh. In their confusion and surprise, doubts arose. One of the twelve disciples named Thomas wasn’t at this first appearance and still doubted after his friends told him Jesus was live. For that he is ever known as doubting Thomas.
Facing trials, persecution, or long stretches without a prayer answered or hearing God can drive us all to doubt. We doubt our faith; our hearts are troubled by circumstances. We allow fear to creep in, telling us God isn’t there for us. It can be harrowing.
Bud Jesus is there for us. He is asking us why after all the times we saw miracles, had prayers answered, door opened, and provisions supplied are we still doubting? Trouble comes and it can buckle us. Jesus told us trouble would come though. So, we should react to troubles the same as we react to blessings. As the Apostle Paul said (and I paraphrase), “I know how to abound and I know how to survive, and praise God, He is there in both.”
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:26-27
Strengthened by their faith, martyrs died. Fortified by the reassuring touch of Jesus, Thomas became a great evangelist for Christ and died in His service. But don’t doubt, Jesus was there, just like He was for Stephen. Jesus, no longer seated on the throne, but standing at the right hand of God, to remove any doubt in their life and welcome them home.
Contemplation: Have I been able to praise God and carry on through trials in my life? Are their doubts I need to confess, and give to God?
