Wednesday, February 8th
16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 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, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
– Matthew 28:16-20
Does Doubt Disqualify Me?
This week we have looked at the tension between Faith and Doubt. We’ve identified that it is not a problem to be solved, but rather it is a tension to be managed. We see this played out in Matthew 28:16-20.
Matthew 28:16-20 is one of the most well-known passages in the bible as it contains “The Great Commission.” In verses 18-20, we see that Jesus commissions us to make disciples by going, baptizing, and teaching. The verses that precede “The Great Commission” are really where I want to focus in.
At this point, Jesus has been crucified, buried, resurrected, and has appeared to the disciples for about 40 days. He directed them to go to a mountain in Galilee and it is hear that verse 17 picks up the story. It says, “And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted.”
So we’ve got a group of Worshipers and a group of Doubters. Then verse 18 states that Jesus came and said to THEM. The text makes no distinction between who Jesus is speaking to, plus they are on a mountain with nowhere to go.
So Jesus is speaking to THEM, both the worshipers and the doubters.
And what does Jesus say? He gives them “The Great Commission,” in which he sends them into the world to make disciples.
Jesus does NOT disqualify “the doubters” from the Great Commission.
Our momentary or seasonal doubts do not disqualify us from a life with Jesus! The only thing that disqualifies us from Jesus is disbelief, which is continuing to live in rebellion against God and his purposes.
Even more so, this allows us to begin to read “The Great Commission” as an encouragement to those who are doubting in light of Jesus calling! As he says, all authority on heaven and earth has been given to me and I will be with you to the end of the age, both worshipers and doubters are encouraged and rejoice.
Do not buy the lie that your doubts disqualify you from a life with Jesus.
PRAYER
Our Father,
Thank you for your Word. We pray that by your Spirit, Matthew 28:16-20 would change us into the likeness of Christ. Thank you that our doubts do not disqualify us. Thank you that we are invited into your cosmic story of redemption. Help us to play our role well! Father, we pray this now through The Son and By the Spirit. Amen.
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