Doubt and Certainty
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Have you ever had a crisis of belief? Have you ever doubted God or struggled with you faith?
Doubts are common. It is okay for us to wrestle with our beliefs and to have doubts and questions concerning our faith.
John the Baptist, Jesus’ own cousin and prophet, who also prepared the way for him, had questions and doubts when he was imprisoned for living out his faith and speaking out against Herod Antipas.
Matthew’s Gospel account captures John’s crisis of belief. Matthew tells us, “Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?’” (Matthew 11:2-3, ESV).
John questioned Jesus. John had his misgivings and had his doubts and his uncertainties about Jesus and his messiahship.
Matthew tells us that Jesus does not rebuke John, but instead answers his questions and lovingly assured John of who he is.
Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.” (Matthew 11:4-6, ESV).
There are answers to our questions. There is assurance for us in the face of our uncertainties and our doubts.
Jesus wants us to know him and to see him for who he is—so much so, that the evidence and the miraculous occurrences and eye witnesses of his majesty are countless.
We can bring our questions, our crisis of belief, our doubts, our uncertainties, and our struggles to Jesus, and he will assure us, give us answers to our questions and encourage us along the way in our faith.
May we be assured of who Jesus is, even in the face of our doubts and our uncertainties.
In Christ alone, Robbie
A Collect For Peace: “O God, the source of all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works: Give to your servants that peace which the world cannot give, that our hearts may be set to obey your commandments, and that we, being defended from the fear of our enemies, may pass our time in rest and quietness; through the merits of Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.” (Book of Common Prayer, 2019).
Photo by Yasin Yusuf on Unsplash
