Matthew 28: 16-17 “Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him: BUT SOME DOUBTED.”

These were Jesus’ final hours of humanness and certainly his spirit yearned for home. But his heart must have ached for his dear apostles and the difficulties they would now face, all eleven of them. You see, the twelve apostles were no longer twelve. Judas was missing.

The remaining eleven had so much to grieve.  They were in shock over the horrific death of their Master, but sadly there was more. It was one of their own, Judas, who had orchestrated the unfathomable betrayal of Jesus.

They too felt double-crossed and their minds could not wrap around the deception. How had they never suspected Judas’ heart belonged to the enemy?  Hadn’t Judas sat at the feet of Jesus and heard the same teachings?  Hadn’t Judas eaten at his table and walked beside the Master on their journeys? Was Judas actually devising a plan to spend his thirty pieces of betrayal silver as the Savior knelt and washed his feet? The apostles were confident Jesus knew the heart of the betrayer all along, yet He treated Judas no differently.

Surely, the eleven had struggled for sleep as those horrific events played out in their dreams. But there was no time to ponder such things now, for miraculously the Master was alive and bidding them back to Galilee, where their incredible journey with Him began.

This would be their final earthly call from the Master because Jesus was preparing his departure.  Traveling together, the eleven surely marveled again over the catastrophic events at Jesus’ final breath from the cross:  an earthquake that shattered rocks, graves releasing dead bodies to walk around town, and the temple curtain ripping of its own accord from top to bottom.  Even the unbelieving Roman soldier at the foot of the cross was heard to say, “Surely, this was the Son of God.” How could belief evade anyone?

As Jesus came into their view, it is no surprise that the apostles worshipped Him. But stop here and reread the theme verse above. Immediately following the part about worship comes the dreaded word, “but,” and everything changes.  They worshipped, “but some doubted.”

What?

Had they not seen?  Had they not touched? Had they not heard?  Had not Jesus proven himself to be the Son of God with all its power?  Yet scripture clearly states, “but some doubted.”

It is easy to shake our heads in disbelief and think, “How could anyone doubt?”

But. . .

Have I not seen His mighty power in my own life, and still doubt his path for me?  Am I not a recipient to His daily mercies yet close my eyes to the peace they provide? Do I not sing aloud, “As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people” and yet question his presence in my life? How is it that I should I denounce Judas for his betrayal yet abandon the presence of God in my own life?

Sadly, I fear there are times I find my own place in the group of “some doubted.”

Father God, thank you for the unconditional love you show your children even when we doubt.

Blessings,

Rita Cochrane