After The Resurrection: Defeating Doubt
After the Resurrection: Defeating Doubt and Embracing the Kingdom
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not just the final say in His earthly ministry, but the starting line for a new era of faith and spiritual awakening. While we celebrate the empty tomb, it's crucial to ask ourselves: What happens after the resurrection? Where do we go once we know who Jesus is and have experienced salvation?
The book of Acts provides a glimpse into this pivotal moment. For 40 days after His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples and many others, offering "convincing proofs" that He was alive. During this time, He spoke about the kingdom of God, preparing His followers for the mission ahead.
Why 40 days? Perhaps it's a divine parallel to the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness after His baptism, being tempted by the devil. In that instance, Satan tried to sow doubt about Jesus' identity and purpose. Now, in His resurrected state, Jesus takes 40 days to solidify faith and dispel doubt among His followers.
The historical evidence for Jesus' life, death, and resurrection is overwhelming. In fact, there is more physical evidence for these events than for the existence of Homer, Aristotle, and Socrates combined. Yet, doubt still creeps in, even among those who knew Him best.
Consider Thomas, often called "Doubting Thomas." The Greek root of his name, "Ditomous," means twin or double. It's the same word used by James when he writes about a "double-minded man" being unstable. What if Thomas wasn't just struggling with physical doubt, but with an internal conflict – a "twin" self that fought against belief?
Jesus' response to Thomas's doubt is a powerful lesson for us all. He didn't reject Thomas for his uncertainty. Instead, He invited Thomas to reach out and touch the places where He had been hurt but was now healed. This tangible encounter was so profound that Thomas fell to his knees, exclaiming, "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:28)
This story reminds us that after the resurrection, Jesus' first priority was to take doubt out of the doubter. He meets us in our uncertainty, inviting us to experience Him personally and tangibly.
But defeating doubt is just the beginning. Once doubt is dispelled, we're called to embrace and spread the kingdom of God. The prophet Joel spoke of a time when God would pour out His Spirit on all people, causing sons and daughters to prophesy, old men to dream dreams, and young men to see visions (Joel 2:28). This outpouring is not just a one-time event but an ongoing reality for those who follow Christ.
Many of us have prayed for years for God to save our loved ones, to heal, to deliver. When those prayers are answered, what's next? Do we simply move on to the next request, or do we start actively spreading the kingdom? Jesus said that signs would follow those who believe (Mark 16:17-18). We're not called to chase after signs, but to follow Christ faithfully, knowing that His power will be evident in our lives.
This shift in perspective is crucial. Too many Christians are content to be passengers on a "cruise ship" church when we're meant to be crew members on a battleship. We're not called to simply enjoy the comforts of faith, but to engage in spiritual warfare, defeating the enemy at every turn.
The resurrection itself was a miracle. Jesus' ability to appear and disappear at will was miraculous. His power to remove doubt from the hearts of His followers was equally miraculous. And here's the amazing truth: He offers that same miracle-working power to us today.
However, it's easy for church services and our spiritual lives to become routine, a mere service to religion rather than a vibrant relationship with the living God. We can give you steps to overcome doubt, share inspiring stories, or recount historical facts about the early martyrs who were so convinced of Christ's resurrection that they willingly died for their faith.
But the real transformation comes when we stop and reach out to touch Jesus ourselves. When we have a personal encounter with the risen Christ, doubt fades away, and we're filled with a passion for His kingdom.
As we move forward from the empty tomb, let's not settle for a faith that's merely intellectual or habitual. Instead, let's pursue a dynamic, doubt-defeating relationship with Jesus that compels us to action. Let's allow the reality of the resurrection to permeate every aspect of our lives, transforming us from doubtful spectators to confident ambassadors of God's kingdom.
Remember, the same power that raised Christ from the dead is at work in us (Ephesians 1:19-20). We're not called to muster up faith on our own, but to rely on His strength. When we feel inadequate, that's precisely the moment to lean into Jesus, acknowledging that we can't do it on our own – that's why we need Him!
As we celebrate the resurrection, let's also embrace the mission it empowers us to fulfill. Let's move beyond doubt, beyond routine, and into a faith that's vibrant, active, and transformative. The world is waiting for the good news of the kingdom. Will you be the one to share it?
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not just the final say in His earthly ministry, but the starting line for a new era of faith and spiritual awakening. While we celebrate the empty tomb, it's crucial to ask ourselves: What happens after the resurrection? Where do we go once we know who Jesus is and have experienced salvation?
The book of Acts provides a glimpse into this pivotal moment. For 40 days after His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples and many others, offering "convincing proofs" that He was alive. During this time, He spoke about the kingdom of God, preparing His followers for the mission ahead.
Why 40 days? Perhaps it's a divine parallel to the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness after His baptism, being tempted by the devil. In that instance, Satan tried to sow doubt about Jesus' identity and purpose. Now, in His resurrected state, Jesus takes 40 days to solidify faith and dispel doubt among His followers.
The historical evidence for Jesus' life, death, and resurrection is overwhelming. In fact, there is more physical evidence for these events than for the existence of Homer, Aristotle, and Socrates combined. Yet, doubt still creeps in, even among those who knew Him best.
Consider Thomas, often called "Doubting Thomas." The Greek root of his name, "Ditomous," means twin or double. It's the same word used by James when he writes about a "double-minded man" being unstable. What if Thomas wasn't just struggling with physical doubt, but with an internal conflict – a "twin" self that fought against belief?
Jesus' response to Thomas's doubt is a powerful lesson for us all. He didn't reject Thomas for his uncertainty. Instead, He invited Thomas to reach out and touch the places where He had been hurt but was now healed. This tangible encounter was so profound that Thomas fell to his knees, exclaiming, "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:28)
This story reminds us that after the resurrection, Jesus' first priority was to take doubt out of the doubter. He meets us in our uncertainty, inviting us to experience Him personally and tangibly.
But defeating doubt is just the beginning. Once doubt is dispelled, we're called to embrace and spread the kingdom of God. The prophet Joel spoke of a time when God would pour out His Spirit on all people, causing sons and daughters to prophesy, old men to dream dreams, and young men to see visions (Joel 2:28). This outpouring is not just a one-time event but an ongoing reality for those who follow Christ.
Many of us have prayed for years for God to save our loved ones, to heal, to deliver. When those prayers are answered, what's next? Do we simply move on to the next request, or do we start actively spreading the kingdom? Jesus said that signs would follow those who believe (Mark 16:17-18). We're not called to chase after signs, but to follow Christ faithfully, knowing that His power will be evident in our lives.
This shift in perspective is crucial. Too many Christians are content to be passengers on a "cruise ship" church when we're meant to be crew members on a battleship. We're not called to simply enjoy the comforts of faith, but to engage in spiritual warfare, defeating the enemy at every turn.
The resurrection itself was a miracle. Jesus' ability to appear and disappear at will was miraculous. His power to remove doubt from the hearts of His followers was equally miraculous. And here's the amazing truth: He offers that same miracle-working power to us today.
However, it's easy for church services and our spiritual lives to become routine, a mere service to religion rather than a vibrant relationship with the living God. We can give you steps to overcome doubt, share inspiring stories, or recount historical facts about the early martyrs who were so convinced of Christ's resurrection that they willingly died for their faith.
But the real transformation comes when we stop and reach out to touch Jesus ourselves. When we have a personal encounter with the risen Christ, doubt fades away, and we're filled with a passion for His kingdom.
As we move forward from the empty tomb, let's not settle for a faith that's merely intellectual or habitual. Instead, let's pursue a dynamic, doubt-defeating relationship with Jesus that compels us to action. Let's allow the reality of the resurrection to permeate every aspect of our lives, transforming us from doubtful spectators to confident ambassadors of God's kingdom.
Remember, the same power that raised Christ from the dead is at work in us (Ephesians 1:19-20). We're not called to muster up faith on our own, but to rely on His strength. When we feel inadequate, that's precisely the moment to lean into Jesus, acknowledging that we can't do it on our own – that's why we need Him!
As we celebrate the resurrection, let's also embrace the mission it empowers us to fulfill. Let's move beyond doubt, beyond routine, and into a faith that's vibrant, active, and transformative. The world is waiting for the good news of the kingdom. Will you be the one to share it?
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