Doubters Welcome

When it comes to church assemblies, it tends to appear as if everyone’s “got it all going on”. Everyone sings, bows their head, participates in the various ceremonious activities, and listens to a message. Then, after it is all over, people get up, smile, shake hands, and head out.

However, does everyone really have “it all going on”? Was everyone on the same page throughout the assembly? Did they all understand the point of the selection of songs or the purpose of the message? Though Jesus is the center of the Christian gathering, did He “show up” and if so, did anyone doubt?

I recently ran across a publication that spoke of some verses that most churchgoers are going to be familiar with…the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). Jesus comes to “them” and tells them to go out and take the good news to all men. But there is an interesting couple of verses that many (including myself) often overlook, verses 16 and 17. It reads: Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. (NIV)

Notice the last two words…“some doubted”. This is stated before Jesus comes to them. When He did come to them, He still gave them the charge to go out to all the world. What is the most interesting to me is that these people had been around Jesus for quite some time. These eleven had seen Jesus immediately after the resurrection. What a privilege they had, to see the resurrected Messiah. We often pick on Thomas as the doubter, but it seems more doubted.

Do you doubt when it comes to theology? Do you doubt when it comes to talking to or dealing with people that are religious? Do you doubt people’s intentions when they bring up a religious conversation? In this context, what do you doubt about?

Most would agree that in your church assembly hardly anyone truly “has it all going on”. Regardless of the appearance, we’re all stressed, strained, or burdened. In various ways, all churches are filled with doubters. Doubting creates tension; tension creates room to learn. In some ways, it is good to doubt because then you walk away hopefully having learned something.

Though “some doubted”, Jesus still came to them. In similar fashion, Jesus still comes to us, though we may have doubts. If you’re one of the ones in the category of “doubting”, know that you’re welcome, anytime and you’ll be in company with at least one other who doubts.