This is what some call “Holy Week.” It is the week we commemorate the events leading up to and including the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Most churches and Christians sort of go through the motions to celebrate Good Friday (what a misnomer that is) and Easter (also a misnomer). I don’t think most people really think much about the significance of those days and the historical validity of Jesus’ resurrection. After all, the validity of our faith is dependent on the truth of those events. In this article, however, I don’t intend merely to rehash the apologetic reasons for believing in the resurrection. Rather I want us to consider practically what we can do when we may enter a season of questioning and doubt.
Have you been out driving or walking on a terribly foggy night when banks of grounded clouds make it difficult to find your way? I had a friend who lived in England for a while. He related how at times he could hardly see ten feet in front of him because of the dense fog. Perhaps you have been on a river or by the sea on a foggy night and heard the lonely sound of a ship’s fog horn.
Let’s face it, sometime life itself has foggy nights. There are times when it seems difficult to see the road ahead and even our faith is not clear. There are times we have clouds of doubt about the truth of our Christian faith. This is especially relevant this week when we remember our Lord’s resurrection. Sometimes we ask, “Did it really happen?” “Is our Christian faith true or just a clever fable?”
In this article let’s look at one individual who expressed doubts, and how God helped him through them. That man was Jesus’ disciple, Thomas. His example is a lesson for us all.
24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples were saying to him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” 26 After eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then He said to Thomas, “Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing.” 28 Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20: 24-28 NASB)
After Jesus had been crucified and raised from the dead, he appeared to the women and the rest of the disciples, except for one. That one exception was Thomas, called Didymus (“the Twin”). When he returned, the other disciples told him what had happened. Thomas was skeptical, “Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”
Apparently, Thomas shared a notion that is characteristic of many people; that is, they will not believe what the cannot see or feel. This is especially true of modern people with a naturalistic worldview. I am not saying Thomas was that kind of skeptic, but he obviously was not willing to put his faith in something he had never experienced.
Thomas, however, had his doubts dashed when Jesus again appeared in his presence. It had to be true because nothing else could explain how anyone could enter the room since the door was locked. Jesus showed Thomas the nail holes in His hands and the spear wound in His side. Thomas could do no other but believe. His reaction was profound, “My Lord and my God!”
It is not unusual for anyone to have certain doubts. Thomas was not a unique case. We have all had times when we question things. And maybe we should. We may have times when we doubt one or more of the following things:
1. The existence of God.
How can I know if God exists? If so, where is He? Is all that exists only what we can see?
2. The divinity of Christ.
Was Jesus truly God incarnate? How could God dwell in man? Was Jesus limited as are other men?
3. The resurrection of Jesus.
Did Jesus really rise from the dead? Even if He did, it seems so long ago and far away. What does it really mean for me?
4. Personal salvation.
Am I really saved? How can I be sure I am going to heaven when I die? Sometimes I feel so bad I don’t think God really loves me.
Everyone wrestles with these kinds of questions at one time of another. As a wise pastor friend of mine once said, “If a person has never doubted, he has never thought.” The case of Thomas also provides help here.
29 Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.” 30 Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name. (John 20: 29-31 NASB)
Jesus had appeared bodily to Thomas, so Thomas no longer had any reason for doubt. So Jesus asked him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed?” But Jesus knew there would come many down through the ages who would not be as privileged as was Thomas and the other disciples. So He continued, “Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.”
John followed Jesus’ statement with his reason for having written the Gospel…”that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.” It is no coincidence that John placed that statement where he did. He wanted his readers, several decades later, to know they, too, could have faith and believe.
If we put our faith firmly in the Lord Jesus, our doubts can be lifted like a fog in the afternoon. He can give assurances even in the deepest times of discouragement and doubt. We can find answers to those questions. Go to the following links in the Christian Worldview section on our website resources for further help.
1. God does exist. As Paul explains in Romans 1:20, the evidence of God’s existence is shown in the order and beauty of nature. “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.” (see: http://www.marketfaith.org/2013/03/why-should-i-believe-part-1-why-should-i-believe-in-god/)
2. Jesus was divine. He demonstrated that fact by His sinless life, miracles, and resurrection. Jesus claimed to be God. So, as C. S. Lewis reminded us, He was either a liar, a lunatic, or the Lord. The evidence is that He was (and is) the Lord. (see: http://www.marketfaith.org/why-should-i-believe-part-2-why-should-i-believe-in-jesus/ )
3. The resurrection of Jesus from the dead actually occurred. It happened in real time and space history. There were many credible witnesses. That’s what Easter is all about. (see: http://www.marketfaith.org/why-should-i-believe-why-should-i-believe-in-the-resurrection/ )
4. We can be sure of our salvation. It is sad to talk to someone and have them doubt this basic Christian fact. A person who has genuinely repented of their sins and put their faith and trust in Jesus as their personal Savior and Lord need never doubt their salvation. Christ paid for all our sins, past, present, and future. (see: http://www.marketfaith.org/what-does-it-mean-to-be-saved/ )
Do you ever have doubts? We all do. But with prayer, Bible study, and fellowship with other believers, we can roll back the clouds of doubt. That really makes this “Holy Week!”
© 2016 Tal Davis