Do you ever have doubts?
Not just doubts about everyday things,
but also doubts about faith related matters?
Some people worry about having doubts,
or at least showing that they have doubts.
But we shouldn’t be afraid of doubts.
They are part of life, even part of the Christian life.
We should expect them to arise.
One day Martin Luther was asked the question
Why do we more readily believe Satan when he terrifies than Christ when he consoles? “Because we are better equipped to doubt than to hope;
because hope comes from the Spirit of God but despair and doubts come from our own spirit.
As we are human we should expect doubts to arise in our life.
However we should never leave them alone,
every doubt needs attention.
And today’s Gospel reading highlights some things that are very helpful
and important for each of us when doubts arise.
Today’s Gospel reading is where the term doubting Thomas, comes from.
Unfortunately Thomas I think is unfairly treated.
For instance in John chapter 11 verse 14 to 16 we hear the following about Thomas
14 So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, 15 and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”
16 Then Thomas (called Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”
Thomas seems a fairly compassionate chap.
And someone committed to being part of the team.
But not only this do you realise that Thomas was not the only disciple who doubted.
Let’s turn to another event that takes place after the resurrection.
In Matthew 28:16-20.
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in a the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Even though they worshipped Jesus some of the disciples still had doubts.
Some of the other disciples even though the doubted continued worshipping Jesus.
There is no doubt that Thomas had doubts.
He was not in the room with the other disciples.
He was not prepared to believe unless he saw.
But the fact is it is some of the other disciples had doubts too.
Remember they were locked in a room.
Petrified.
They had no idea what was going on.
Jesus who they had put their hope in was dead,
or at least they thought he was.
They were likely on the most wanted list for being a follower of Jesus.
If you were in their sandals,
How would you be feeling?
Do you reckon you would be all calm and collected?
I don’t think I would be,
I think I would be feeling my world has been turned upside down.
You would probably have some doubts.
But fortunately for the disciples these doubts are calmed because Jesus appears.
And this is the first important point in dealing with any doubts we have.
When we are doubting, the presence of Jesus is essential.
Why? Because Jesus brings peace.
Three times in today’s reading Jesus says ‘Peace be with you’
Doubts can lead to feelings of uneasiness.
Doubts can lead to feeling disturbed.
Doubts can also lead us to retreat and not interact
with Jesus and other Christians.
This was partly Thomas’ issue in today’s reading.
Thomas problem wasn’t that he doubted.
It was how he reacted to his doubts.
It was that he didn’t remain with the group, with the disciples.
Away from the group he was in a vulnerable position.
Away from other disciples he also missed out on the initial blessings
and peace that Jesus brought during this difficult time.
Now we all know in our heads that Jesus is present constantly in our lives,
whether we want him there or not.
However we don’t always take advantage of his presence.
When you are experiencing difficult times,
or having doubts about something.
Do you tap into Jesus’ presence?
Do you talk over your issues with another Christian?
Do you open up your bible?
Do you spend time in prayer?
Do you make sure you don’t miss worship?
These are all helpful tools for each of us when we are faced with doubts.
Each of these tools help us recognise and take advantage of Jesus presence in our lives.
Because when we are doubting it is crucial that we are aware of Jesus presence in our lives.
It is crucial that we rely on Jesus strength to guide us through the forest of doubts.
In another part of scripture, Proverbs chapter 3 verse 5 we hear,
Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
When we are not connecting with Jesus presence we are relying on our own understanding.
When we connect with Jesus presence we are trusting Jesus.
Being connected to Jesus through times of doubts
may not get rid us of the things causing doubts
But it does bring peace.
One of the things I love doing is reading and hearing stories about people.
And there is a common thread that comes through with many Christian people,
who have experienced a tough time and doubts about themselves and God and walked through it.
It is that being in touch with Jesus means that instead of seeing things from their own perspective,
which is often limited and distorted.
They see themselves, others and their experiences from God’s perspective.
And as a result even if the things that are causing doubt still exist,
their power is reduced.
But what about if our doubts are specifically about God.
Well the same still applies.
It is essential that you keep engaging with God.
Keep listening to Him.
The last verses of today’s reading highlight this.
Listen again to verses 30 and 31
30 Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may a believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Everything written in scripture is for our benefit.
It is to strengthen our faith so that we can have the new life Jesus offers.
Please remember this when you are reading scripture.
Even some of those strange parts.
Keeping asking yourself everytime you read scripture how is this showing me that Jesus is my Lord and saviour.
Unfortunately some people try use scripture for many weird, wacky and wonderful things.
However keep in mind its primary objective is to see and believe that Jesus is your Christ, the Son of God.
The second thing that is important from today’s gospel reading is how God responds when we have doubts.
We shouldn’t be worried about interacting with God,
because God is always willing to listen to our questions and help us work through them.
Did you notice the way Jesus approaches Thomas?
He comes to Thomas and says Peace be with you.
He then addresses Thomas’ queries.
He makes it possible for Thomas to believe.
He shows up and proves to Thomas that He is resurrected
That he has defeated death.
At the same time he highlights to you and me,
that seeing him isn’t the most important thing in life,
it doesn’t make Thomas special.
Rather those who are special are those who have not seen and believed.
And this is the crux of being a Christian.
Believing in God is not a scientific adventure.
Although there are many books who will help you in this area.
But ultimately it is an adventure based on faith.
Based on the accounts of others.
Further more Jesus doesn’t want our doubts to stop us from being His disciples.
Did you notice what happened in the Matthew reading just after it was indicated that the disciples had doubts.
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Even with doubts Jesus still gives us the privilege of being his disciples.
Still gives those original disciples the responsibilities of witnessing to others.
Of making disciples.
And there are two reasons for this.
As disciples what we do does not depend on our power,
but on God’s.
There is a very good reason for this as disciples of Jesus we are continually learning.
We never stop learning.
Jesus is always helping us.
At times it appears that before you can do anything you need to do a course and have a certificate.
However as disciples God operates differently with us.
The way God teaches us is by getting us involved with ministry from the very day we are Christians,
from the very first day of each us becoming His disciples, we are to be involved in ministry and mission.
He doesn’t say you must go to school for x number of years and when you completed this you can be one of my disciples.
But rather from the day you are Christian,
Jesus is encouraging you to minister to others in His name,
So the things to remember when we experience doubts are:
Make sure you are aware of Jesus presence in your life and that you are taking advantage of this presence by connecting with Jesus.
Jesus wants to address your doubts in a compassionate way.
And doubts should not stop us, rather the best medicine for doubts is to be involved in Jesus ministry and mission with Jesus.
Let us pray.
