Past All Doubt

Matthew 28:16-21 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. 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 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.”
 
IF you were to read only Matthew’s account of Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, you would think some of Jesus’ closest disciples still doubted in his deity and authority. But we can learn more about this doubt from the other three gospels.
    Mark 16 informs us all disciples doubted Mary Magdalene’s first reports of Jesus’ resurrection. Mark 16:11 When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it. There is also Luke’s account of Jesus’ walk to Emmaus with two men. When they expressed wonder at reports of Jesus’ resurrection, our Lord said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!” (Luke 24:25)  
    Reading only Matthew, you would not know either of Thomas’ doubt and Jesus’ loving restoration of his faith-challenged disciples. (John 20) And you would miss in Acts 1 the more detailed account of Jesus’ ascension and the disciples’ joyous reaction to their living Lord. No one doubted then!
    In addition, we read Paul’s description of Jesus’ ministry between his resurrection and his ascension in 1 Corinthians 15:6 After that he was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. 
    Thus, when we read Matthew’s brief account of Jesus resurrection, his appearance to the disciples, and his ascension, we must be aware that about 50 days passed from his resurrection to his ascension. When Matthew expressed some doubted, he likely was summarizing the disciples’ reaction to Jesus’ appearances to them over those 50 days. The diverse group of men were undergoing a faith transformation. Just as during the days of his ministry, Jesus was moving their hearts from doubt, discouragement and wonder to an unwavering, fearless faith to know Jesus is alive. He is Lord and Savior.
    The Spirit teaches us through the disciples’ lives in these various resurrection accounts. To move past our doubts in Jesus, we must move toward him. Get to know Jesus personally. Know the truth of his words. Encounter him in your prayers. Worship him in your church. Experience him in your daily walk. Indeed, believe to the depths of  your soul that Jesus is risen.
    Doubt disappears when you purposefully and personally encounter the living Savior.