Doubt: Jesus can handle your doubts Flashcards
Difference between Doubt and Unbelief
“Christ never failed to distinguish between doubt and unbelief. Doubt is can’t believe; unbelief is won’t believe. Doubt is honest; unbelief is
obstinacy. Doubt is looking for light; unbelief is content with darkness. Loving darkness rather than light—that is what Christ attacked and
attacked unsparingly.”
HENRY DRUMMOND
What happens the church cannot handle people’s doubt?
They turn away from the church
this often happens when churches don’t allow, encourage, or demonize the asking of questions?
When churches equate the asking of questions, and doubt with sin?
Can Jesus handle our doubts?
The gospels make it clear that John was more than just a teacher. He was the fulfilment of God’s prophecy in Isaiah 40:3 about a man who would come to “prepare the way of the Lord.” John did this by calling Israel to repent because the kingdom of heaven was near. He introduced Israel to Jesus as the Messiah.
The question being posed here suggests John was grappling with doubt. He has heard about what Jesus has been doing, and he has sent his disciples to Jesus with a question: Are you the one who was to come, or should we look for someone else? In short, John the Baptist was asking if Jesus was really the Messiah.
Alright, it was one
thing to confidently preach out in the wilderness as a free man, but if I’m
going to die as a prisoner, I really want to be sure that Jesus is the real
deal.
So what does he do? Thankfully, the Bible tells us. In Matthew 11, we
see the story of John’s doubt unfold: “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?’ ”8
Can you detect the doubt?
The uncertainty?
The confusion?
“Is Jesus legit, or did I just waste thirty years of my life living a fairy
tale? I have to know.”
Maybe you’re thinking to yourself, What happened to John’s
unflappable conviction? Where’s his confident assertion that Jesus is the
Messiah? Earlier he was shamelessly stating, “Behold, the Lamb of God,
who takes away the sin of the world,” and now he’s shaking in his sandals,
wondering, “Could I have missed it?”
Can you relate? One moment your faith is sizzling and the next it’s
fizzling. One moment you believe beyond all doubt, and the next moment
you can’t get beyond your doubt. One moment you’re assertively declaring
your faith, and the next moment you’re ashamedly doubting it.
How does this happen? It’s called being human. And this shared trait
makes everyone of us susceptible to doubt. Including John. And there is
nothing like a little fear to call your faith into question. To create panic. Or
squeamishness. Or uncertainty. And when your fear turns to doubt, one
thing every doubting believer longs for is a heavy dose of Christian
assurance. You know, some good old-fashioned comfort. And that’s exactly
what John’s about to get from Jesus. Let’s keep reading:
As a student of the Old Testament, John would have known that those
prophesied miraculous signs would be true only of the Messiah.10 Can you
hear the sigh of relief from John’s disciples? Phew. And off they went to
John with some freshly packed assurance. Then Jesus said to the remaining
crowd as they departed:
“What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken
by the wind? What then did you go out to see? A man dressed
in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in
kings’ houses. What then did you go out to see? A prophet?
Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is he of whom it
is written,
‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will
prepare your way before you.’
Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has
arisen no one greater than John the Baptist.”11
Incredible. No doubt Jesus’s words gave John assurance, comfort, and
relief.
Every sincere believer should be penetrated to the core with
encouragement from these words. Not only did Jesus offer John solid
assurance, but He also offered up a twofold blessing of assurance and
affirmation. This is the place where we all pick up our jaws. Christ’s words
here are nothing short of spectacular. His message for John wasn’t, “I know
you don’t understand, John, but just believe.” Or, “We don’t ask questions
like that around here, John. You should know that.” Nope. Instead, He
comforted John with evidence. And if that wasn’t enough, far from being
disappointed with John, Jesus even dished out the greatest compliment of
his earthly ministry, “No one greater has been born of a woman.”
How can we emulate John in dealing with doubt
- Be willing to admit your doubts
- Get specific about what your doubts are
- Know that Jesus can handle your doubts
- Take your doubt to Jesus
