DELIVERANCE FROM DOUBTS – Pt 2

Matthew 11:1-6 "And it came to pass when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities. Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.”

In last week’s “Challenging Concepts” we explored the questions and doubts of the forerunner prophet John the Baptist, especially the CAUSES of this issue. If you didn’t read that blog, please refer to it at the left of this page. This week we’re going to explore the CONDUCT of dout.

Doubt is not UNBELIEF. If you want to evaluate the life of one who was a doubter, you could find none any more suited than the disciple Thomas. He was a doubter of the first order, even being referred to as Douting Thomas for generations. The question js not whether or not he was a doubter. The question is whether or not his life was one of unbelief. Let us look at the facts:

1. Thomas was willing to DIE FOR CHRIST - In John 11 Jesus goes to Judea. It was here that there was an attempt to take the life of the Messiah by stoning Him. This was a very dangerous place for Jesus to go. The disciples remind Him of the previous attempt on His life and warn Him, but realize that the death of Lazarus had given Him an opportunity to minister so He was determined. Who steps up to the plate? Notice John 11:16, "Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go that we may die with Him.” Thomas was saying, “If we die; we die.” He was not a man of unbelief. He was willing to die with and for His Master.

2. Thomas was willing to ASK THE HARD QUESTIONS - Doubt is a need for more evidence to confirm your belief. In the fourteenth chapter of John Jesus is trying to prepare His disciples for His departure. He tells them of the mansions He’s preparing for them. He reassures them that He’s going but He will return to get them. He then tells them they know the way, at which time it is Thomas who steps forward and ask the question which was probably in all their minds. We read in John 14:5 "Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest and how can we know the way?" Thomas is not a man of unbelief. He just needs more information so he’s willing to ask the tough question.

3. Thomas is willing to ACT ON EVIDENCE – When Jesus appeared to His disciples after the resurrection, Thomas was not present. Why? The rest of the disciples were behind closed door for fear of the Jews. Was Thomas more brave? I don’t know where he was and why he was not with the rest. The Bible does not tell us. But when he heard that the other disciples claimed to have seen the Lord, Thomas needed more proof that it was truly Jesus. We read in John 20:25 “. . . Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.” He needed more evidence. Eight days later all the disciples, including Thomas, are again together and Jesus appears to them again. Jesus told Thomas to put his fingers into the scars in this hand and place his hand into His side. In other words, examine the evidence. And how does Thomas respond? Notice John 20:28 “And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.” He had received the evidence needed and he acted upon it.

Thomas had not refused to believe that Jesus had risen from the dead and appeared to the others, he just needed reassurance by seeing for himself.

Ian Johnson: "Doubt is the sincere question; unbelief is the unwillingness to hear the answer."

Just because John the Baptist had some questions and doubts does not mean that he had forsaken his beliefs. When you put yourself into John’s shoes and understand his limited knowledge about the purpose that Jesus had come, then you realize that this great man of God is only seeking more information and reassurance that his ministry has been on target. John is visiting the place of doubt, but he’s not enjoying it so he sends his disciples to get answers.

I’m sure that each of us have been at this place in our own lives. And, doubt may be a place where we visit every once in a while in the future. I think that would be natural for most people. There are circumstances we face that cause us to reconnect with former questions we have had. So let’s not beat ourselves up if we visit doubts about why God allows us to face these circumstances.

We may visit the place of doubts, but let’s not live there.

In next week’s “Challenging Concepts” we’ll examine how Jesus deals with the questions of His cousin and servant.

That’s my view; how about you?