by David Scott Robertson
(Mat 28:16 NIV) Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.
(Mat 28:17 NIV) When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.”
“…but some doubted.”
But some doubted?
What? How? Why?
The Twelve (minus Judas)
Had obeyed Jesus’ first command to them since His resurrection from the dead
Given through the two Mary’s and Salome (Mark 16:1):
(Mat 28:10 NIV) Then Jesus said to them [the women at the tomb], "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."
Jesus had plainly told them before His crucifixion:
(Mat 26:32 NIV) But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee."
Never mind the fact that all eleven disciples weren’t in Caiaphas’ courtyard to support Jesus
During the darkest hours of His life.
They weren’t at the foot of the cross weeping at Golgotha.
They weren’t at the tomb.
At least they could have headed for Galilee after the crucifixion based on Jesus’
Without having to have the Lord’s order come through three women.
What? How? Why?
“…but some doubted.” (Matthew 28:17)
At this point we pick up with Jesus actually appearing in bodily form to the disciples.
And still, go figure, still some doubted!
I don’t get it.
What’s wrong with this picture?
But is that not what the text of the scriptures says?
(Mat 28:17 NIV) When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.”
They had not believed the report of Mary Magdalene
To whom Jesus had appeared first (Mark 16:9).
(Mark 16:11 NIV) When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it.”
Then they didn’t believe two additional witnesses of the resurrection.
(Mark 16:12 NIV) Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country.
(Mark 16:13 NIV) These returned and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either.”
Is it any wonder that Jesus’ first reunion with His beloved disciples
Was to deliver a message of rebuke?
(Mark 16:14 NIV) Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.”
No wonder Jesus instructed them:
(Luke 24:49 NIV) I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."
(Acts 1:8 NIV) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
So it seems apparent that faith is far superior than sight.
(2 Cor 5:7 NIV) We live by faith, not by sight.”
Seeing isn’t always believing.
It wasn’t just “Doubting Thomas” who proved that.
(John 20:27 NIV) Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."
Thomas bears the bad reputation but please note that he had company…
“…but some doubted.” (Matthew 28:17)
The Apostle Paul sums it all up well for me
In His excellent observation found in Galatians 2:20:
(Gal 2:20 NIV) I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Paul [then Saul] saw Christ on the road to Damascus
And was from that point forth faithful to the heavenly vision.
Let’s resolve to walk by faith.
Let’s believe the word of the Lord regardless
Of what we see or don’t see.
(James 1:6 NIV) But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
(James 1:7 NIV) That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord…”
DSR
8/29/01