It's okay to have doubts

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

– Matthew 28: 16-20

Post Easter, according to the church calendar, we are living in the season of Eastertide, walking in the power of the Resurrection. But right now, it sure doesn't feel so powerful as most of us are spending our days hiding from a virus. 

On Sunday, I read Matthew 28 with the youth and focused on the above passage. It is so striking to me that Jesus appears to the disciples and they worship him even as they doubt. Earlier we see the beautiful example of the women who go to the tomb, believe when they see Jesus' empty tomb, and go and obediently spread the word. But here in this passage, worship coexists with doubt and that reassures me on days when I don't feel worthy enough to serve God and the church.

These disciples are seeing Jesus in person and yet they still have doubts. I tend to be a cerebral person and often need to understand with my mind before I can fully allow my heart to follow suit. I like to think a few of the disciples were like me. 

But Jesus doesn't seem too bothered by their doubt because he commissions them anyway. Friends, we don't have to understand God to be considered a faithful leader, commissioned by God to share Christ's love with the world. We don't have to get it. We just have to be present, willing, and open to what God may do with us. Be encouraged by that today. 

—
Kelsey Lewis
Pastor to Youth and Families
First Baptist Church of Decatur