DEVELOP THROUGH YOUR DOUBT
567,715 Americans are homeless.
This statistic both blows my mind and breaks my heart. I have always had a roof over my head, a refrigerator full of food, and functioning central heating. Thus, I have a hard time wrapping my head around the severe reality of this statistic. One day, my whole perspective on the topic was shattered. These numbers took on new meaning when I learned someone's name.
"The name's Tony," a bearded man said with a smile while petting his black and white dog. Tony was one of the thousands of homeless people living on the streets of San Fransisco, California. Tony used to live in the city next to mine in North Carolina. He served on the Air Force base I used to visit on class field trips. Bad luck and illness snowballed until he couldn't afford rent. Now, he was homeless. His kindness was contagious and his stories were hilarious. Befriending Tony gave me a whole new perspective on the homelessness statistics you see printed on posters in the subway. These statistics represent thousands of stories. These numbers represent thousands of names.
"Seeing is believing," people often proclaim. I believed that homelessness existed, but my understanding shifted when I met Tony. There is a huge difference between knowing something and experiencing it. Let's examine the life of someone who got to experience something He couldn't explain. Thomas, one of the disciples of Jesus, struggled to believe in something he couldn't see. Everything changed when Jesus showed up.
"The name's Tony," a bearded man said with a smile while petting his black and white dog. Tony was one of the thousands of homeless people living on the streets of San Fransisco, California. Tony used to live in the city next to mine in North Carolina. He served on the Air Force base I used to visit on class field trips. Bad luck and illness snowballed until he couldn't afford rent. Now, he was homeless. His kindness was contagious and his stories were hilarious. Befriending Tony gave me a whole new perspective on the homelessness statistics you see printed on posters in the subway. These statistics represent thousands of stories. These numbers represent thousands of names.
"Seeing is believing," people often proclaim. I believed that homelessness existed, but my understanding shifted when I met Tony. There is a huge difference between knowing something and experiencing it. Let's examine the life of someone who got to experience something He couldn't explain. Thomas, one of the disciples of Jesus, struggled to believe in something he couldn't see. Everything changed when Jesus showed up.
READ: John 20:26-27
A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
This exchange in John chapter twenty takes place in the middle of sheer madness. A killer named Barabas was recently released to the streets, so people were frightened for their lives. Jesus was publicly beaten, murdered, and buried. His public execution triggered earthquakes and plague-like darkness.
After that, his closest friends all scattered. Can you blame them? They were followers of a convicted criminal so they had a target on their backs. Fear led them to hide in terror. After a grim experience on Friday, they couldn't imagine the glory of Sunday. Jesus wasn't just speaking metaphorically when He talked about resurrection. His eyes open wide, his deflated lungs filled with air, and life entered His body as he broke out of that borrowed grave!
Can you imagine the disciples' shock and celebration when Jesus appeared before them on the first Easter (John 20:19). Filled with joy, they took turns hugging their rabbi.
A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
This exchange in John chapter twenty takes place in the middle of sheer madness. A killer named Barabas was recently released to the streets, so people were frightened for their lives. Jesus was publicly beaten, murdered, and buried. His public execution triggered earthquakes and plague-like darkness.
After that, his closest friends all scattered. Can you blame them? They were followers of a convicted criminal so they had a target on their backs. Fear led them to hide in terror. After a grim experience on Friday, they couldn't imagine the glory of Sunday. Jesus wasn't just speaking metaphorically when He talked about resurrection. His eyes open wide, his deflated lungs filled with air, and life entered His body as he broke out of that borrowed grave!
Can you imagine the disciples' shock and celebration when Jesus appeared before them on the first Easter (John 20:19). Filled with joy, they took turns hugging their rabbi.
They could feel the scars on His arms and see the bruises on his face. Everyone got to celebrate with Jesus, except for one (John 20:24). Thomas was probably out fishing, applying to jobs, or waiting in line at the market. Thus, He missed Christ's holy homecoming.
When Jesus was executed, it undoubtedly shook Thomas to his core. Jesus, his friend and mentor, was beaten to death while the public applauded. He couldn't look away as Jesus was nailed to a cross. His stomach turned as soldiers stabbed a spear through His ribs. Thomas, the doubting disciple, was convinced that Jesus was going to change the world. Then he watched Him die a criminal's death. Thomas gave up everything to follow Jesus, and his entire world was falling apart after the tragic events at Golgotha.
Suddenly Thomas was told, "Jesus is alive! Everything He said was true!" But Thomas had his doubts, saying, "I won't believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands" (20:27).
We often give Thomas a bad wrap, but I can relate to him. It's hard to believe something so marvelous during the worst weekend of your life. Everything changed when Jesus walked through the door. Let the strangeness of this situation sink in. A murdered man stood in Thomas' house. Sensing skepticism, Jesus calmly replied, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."
How did Jesus respond to Thomas? He didn't lash out at him. He didn't teach him a lesson. Nope, Jesus just loved him. Christ gave Thomas exactly what he was asking for -- evidence. Thomas ran his hands across cuts, scabs, and bruises. His touch turned into an embrace when reality hit him. "Stop doubting and believe," Jesus repeated. It's important to see that Jesus said this after giving Thomas the evidence he sought.
Jesus is bigger than your doubts. He's not afraid of your questions or intimidated by your confusion. Instead, Jesus joins us in our investigation. It's pivotal that we let our doubts lead to development.
How do we develop through our doubts? Here are three pieces of advice.
When Jesus was executed, it undoubtedly shook Thomas to his core. Jesus, his friend and mentor, was beaten to death while the public applauded. He couldn't look away as Jesus was nailed to a cross. His stomach turned as soldiers stabbed a spear through His ribs. Thomas, the doubting disciple, was convinced that Jesus was going to change the world. Then he watched Him die a criminal's death. Thomas gave up everything to follow Jesus, and his entire world was falling apart after the tragic events at Golgotha.
Suddenly Thomas was told, "Jesus is alive! Everything He said was true!" But Thomas had his doubts, saying, "I won't believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands" (20:27).
We often give Thomas a bad wrap, but I can relate to him. It's hard to believe something so marvelous during the worst weekend of your life. Everything changed when Jesus walked through the door. Let the strangeness of this situation sink in. A murdered man stood in Thomas' house. Sensing skepticism, Jesus calmly replied, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."
How did Jesus respond to Thomas? He didn't lash out at him. He didn't teach him a lesson. Nope, Jesus just loved him. Christ gave Thomas exactly what he was asking for -- evidence. Thomas ran his hands across cuts, scabs, and bruises. His touch turned into an embrace when reality hit him. "Stop doubting and believe," Jesus repeated. It's important to see that Jesus said this after giving Thomas the evidence he sought.
Jesus is bigger than your doubts. He's not afraid of your questions or intimidated by your confusion. Instead, Jesus joins us in our investigation. It's pivotal that we let our doubts lead to development.
How do we develop through our doubts? Here are three pieces of advice.
Don't doubt in silence.
It's impossible to get answers without asking questions. Thomas let his questions be known. He started an open conversation about his doubts, which ultimately put him in the perfect place to grow in his faith. When you doubt in silence, you struggle. When you doubt in the open, you develop.
Bring your doubts to your friends.
We get a glimpse of Thomas sharing his questions with his close friends. Together, they worked towards closure. Doubt is completely natural, but it's crucial that your doubts start discussions. Ultimately, those honest discussions will fuel your faith. If your mind is filled with questions, please be open and honest about your doubts. Speak to a trusted friend or mentor.
Bring your doubts to Jesus.
We can learn a lot from Thomas. He told Jesus directly that he was struggling to make sense of it all. Jesus was ready to help him see and experience the truth. His doubts brought him closer to the divine. The same is true for you. When you have questions, bring them to Jesus. Pray that God increases your faith.
God won't always give you a crystal clear answer. However, He will always help you contextualize your questions. Your goal isn't to know all the answers. Rather, it's to grow closer to the One who does.
It's impossible to get answers without asking questions. Thomas let his questions be known. He started an open conversation about his doubts, which ultimately put him in the perfect place to grow in his faith. When you doubt in silence, you struggle. When you doubt in the open, you develop.
Bring your doubts to your friends.
We get a glimpse of Thomas sharing his questions with his close friends. Together, they worked towards closure. Doubt is completely natural, but it's crucial that your doubts start discussions. Ultimately, those honest discussions will fuel your faith. If your mind is filled with questions, please be open and honest about your doubts. Speak to a trusted friend or mentor.
Bring your doubts to Jesus.
We can learn a lot from Thomas. He told Jesus directly that he was struggling to make sense of it all. Jesus was ready to help him see and experience the truth. His doubts brought him closer to the divine. The same is true for you. When you have questions, bring them to Jesus. Pray that God increases your faith.
God won't always give you a crystal clear answer. However, He will always help you contextualize your questions. Your goal isn't to know all the answers. Rather, it's to grow closer to the One who does.
READING PLAN
READ THESE PASSAGES IN ORDER EVERY DAY
Do the following with each passage:
ASK– God to connect with you here. In prayer, start by slowing down and inviting God to be present. Begin with focus and openness to see what God has for you today.
READ– the selected section of Scripture slowly. Take note of the words and phrases that intrigue you, reading them a second time if necessary.
REFLECT– on what grabs you. How does this passage personally relate to your own life and experiences?
RESPOND– to the Scripture. Speak directly to God about what’s on your mind and heart. Look for ways to live out what you’ve uncovered.
READ THESE PASSAGES IN ORDER EVERY DAY
- Isaiah 43:1-7
- Matthew 6:25-34
- Psalm 121
- Genesis 50:20
- Hebrews 13:8
- Ephesians 6:10-18
- Psalm 4:8
Do the following with each passage:
ASK– God to connect with you here. In prayer, start by slowing down and inviting God to be present. Begin with focus and openness to see what God has for you today.
READ– the selected section of Scripture slowly. Take note of the words and phrases that intrigue you, reading them a second time if necessary.
REFLECT– on what grabs you. How does this passage personally relate to your own life and experiences?
RESPOND– to the Scripture. Speak directly to God about what’s on your mind and heart. Look for ways to live out what you’ve uncovered.
Posted in Discipleship