Doubt

Doubt is an attitude that is common to all of us.  We all doubt.  It is not something that we are born with.  We are not "born skeptics."  Doubt is something that we develop in life.  We develop it because we learn that life often presents us with un-truths, or lies.  Our political leaders are often "fact-checked," shown to be in error in what they are telling us, and yet persist in "un-truths." Doubt then becomes a protective mechanism for us.  We learn that there is a certain degree of wisdom in doubting;  skepticism is healthy to a certain degree.

Sometimes we even doubt when the preponderance of evidence to the contrary, is overwhelming. Look at this passage from Matthew 11.  "After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.  When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples to ask, "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?"  (Math 11: 2)  This is a remarkable degree of doubt on John's part.  Afterall, he was Christ's first cousin and was a mere 6 months older than Jesus (Luke 1).  Further, he had himself baptised Jesus! (Mark 1).  And yet he was doubting at this point that Jesus was indeed the Christ, the one of whom he himself had declared, "Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world! " (John 1:29).  But here he had his doubts.  As we all do.

How did Christ respond to this?  By providing overwhelming evidence that testified to who he was. "Go back and report to John what you hear and see:  The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the good news is preached to the poor."  (Math 11: 4-6).  Tangible evidence; solid evidence; unimpeachable evidence.  Then Christ says, "Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me."  He is simply saying, "Overcome your doubts. Don't give up believing in me.  I am who I am.  Keep your eyes on me and I will get you home.  Stop doubting and believe."

Lord, I believe.  Help me overcome my unbelief.  (Mark 9:24)