Monday Scripture and Prayer: Matthew 28
But Some Doubted
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Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.
When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
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This week I start my 39th year as a United Methodist pastor.
Over the years I've lost track of how many people have confided in me, "Sometimes I'm not even sure I'm a Christian. Sometimes... I have doubts."
Doubt is a natural part of the human condition--especially when things just seem too good (or too awful) to be true.
The disciples were face to face with the risen Lord, but it was hard to wrap their mind around what they were seeing.
They doubted their own eyes and ears.
When I got the awful call that my brother had passed suddenly and unexpectedly, I could not believe it.
I shouted, "NO!" over and over.
It was too terrible to comprehend.
And Jesus himself suffered a lot of doubt on Holy Thursday, when he was about to lay down his life for you and me.
The cross was too awful to comprehend.
If Jesus had doubts, then we're in pretty good company.
But Jesus gave the Great Commission to all of the disciples--believers and doubters alike.
Go and reach people. Teach people. Touch people. Love people.
Do it until you can believe your own eyes and ears.
As we negotiate this new normal, some of the news seems too good to be true.
Some of it is too awful to comprehend.
We've got a LOT of doubts.
Only one thing is certain:
Christ will be with you
Even to the end of the age.
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This morning when I rose,
I didn't have no doubt.
This morning when I rose,
I didn't have no doubt.
This morning when I rose,
I didn't have no doubt.
I know the Lord will take care of me,
I know the Lord will provide for me,
and I know He will
lead and guide me all the way,
yes, all the way.