It’s natural to question and wonder if the gospel we’ve accepted is really true. Doubt can be a stubborn thing, and even the closest of Christ’s disciples struggled with it.
Take Thomas, for instance. He was one of the twelve, a close follower of Christ who expressed his willingness to die for Him. But when the other disciples told him of the resurrection, he doubted. He needed absolute proof of his eyes and touch to believe.
“But Thomas, one of the twelve, who was called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples were saying to him, ‘We have seen the Lord!’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.’” (John 20:24–25).
Doubt can be a very stubborn thing. All ten of his friends told him of the resurrection, yet he still doubted. He needed absolute proof of his eyes and touch to believe.
Let’s face it, if you read the gospel accounts of Jesus’ death and resurrection in each of the four books, it can get very confusing. It’s like a jigsaw puzzle that needs to be put together. If you spend the time to put the timeline together, it does fit together beautifully. The bottom line is that women found the empty tomb.
What happened to the body? Who moved the stone? There has been all sorts of speculation throughout time. Many ideas about a stolen body. But the disciples explained it through their lives. All but one died preaching a resurrected Christ. Christianity moved forward to the present day.
Christ was seen by many people after His death, by different groups of people in different places and at different times. He was seen! This changed the disciples. They went from denying men to bold preachers.
Now, a week later, we find Thomas still with his ten friends. I think this means he had doubt but not unbelief. Doubt can be cured, but unbelief causes someone to walk out and turn their back on what they once believed.
“Eight days later His disciples were again inside, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst and said, ‘Peace be to you.’ Then He said to Thomas, ‘Place your finger here, and see My hands; and take your hand and put it into My side; and do not continue in disbelief, but be a believer.’ Thomas answered and said to Him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him, ‘Because you have seen Me, have you now believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed,’” (John 20:26–29).
And that’s the thing, doubting is not dangerous. It’s the keeping power of Christ that doesn’t lose one sheep for whom He died. Doubt is cured by faith. It’s not the tons of evidence that are present. Faith requires a face-to-face meeting with the living Christ. Thomas had this encounter once again when Christ reached out his hand to him. Christ told him to stop doubting and believe.
So, if you’re a doubter this Easter and you haven’t been to church in a while, go gather with Christians this morning. Christ doesn’t reject doubters. Encounter Christ once again and you will find peace. You are His adopted child, even in your weakness.
Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.
Looking to strengthen your understanding of Christian apologetics? In our latest post, we dive into William Lane Craig’s Reasonable Faith, exploring how this influential book offers compelling arguments for the existence of God, the resurrection of Jesus, and the reliability of Scripture. Whether you’re a seasoned apologist or just starting to explore the field, this post provides valuable insights for defending the Christian faith with logic and evidence. Check it out to deepen your knowledge and enhance your ability to engage with skeptics.