If you saw Jesus in the flesh, do you think that would make it easier to believe and follow Him? It’s easy to think so. How could we not believe and trust in him if we saw him?
But many didn’t. Many saw him in life and rejected him. Many saw him on the cross and refused to believe. And even some of his disciples struggled to believe even after his resurrection! Matthew 28 tells of Jesus gathering the eleven living disciples to himself just before he ascended into heaven. Verse 17 says, “When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.” But some doubted. They were looking at the risen Jesus, in all his resurrected glory and still they doubted. And I don;t think we would be any better than they.
What is even more remarkable than the disciples’ lack of faith, though, is Jesus’s assurance to them. He knows their hearts. He knows their doubts and he does three things.
- First, he declares his power by saying “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” So they can put all their trust in him.
- Second, he commissions them when he says “go, therefore, and make disciples.” So he has not given up on them despite their doubts.
- And third, he comforts and encourages them when he says “and surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” So they can be certain that they are never alone or abandoned or forgotten.
All these assurances are for us too. They are for all those who are in Christ. We can put all our trust in him and work for him and be close to him, even if we do fight against doubts.
I originally wrote this post for my church, Immanuel Nashville, in our Daily Pulse email. If you want encouragement from God’s word delivered Monday thru Friday to your inbox, I encourage you to subscribe.
