How does Matthew 28:17 challenge the concept of unwavering faith? Canonical Text “When they saw Him, they worshiped Him, but some doubted.” — Matthew 28:17 Immediate Resurrection Context The statement occurs on a mountain in Galilee where the risen Jesus meets the Eleven (Matthew 28:16). Just moments later He issues the Great Commission (vv. 18-20). The worship offered proves genuine recognition of His deity, yet the notation “but some doubted” introduces tension at the climax of the Gospel: eyewitnesses to the resurrected Christ still experience hesitation. Biblical Pattern of Faith Mixed with Doubt • Matthew 14:31—Peter cries, “Lord, save me,” and Jesus says, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” • Mark 9:24—The distressed father pleads, “I believe; help my unbelief!” • Luke 24:38—The risen Christ asks, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?” • John 20:25-29—Thomas’ skepticism is met with tangible evidence and a commendation of believing without seeing. These texts show that Scripture never sanitizes the disciples’ struggles. The presence of doubt inside committed followers is recorded without apology, underscoring honesty and coherence within the biblical record. Theological Implications 1. Authentic Faith Is Dynamic. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as assurance, yet Hebrews chronicles saints who wrestled with uncertainty (e.g., Gideon’s fleece, 11:32-34). 2. Grace Accommodates Human Frailty. Jude 22 instructs, “And indeed, have mercy on those who doubt.” The resurrected Christ entrusts the Great Commission to men just described as hesitant, illustrating salvation and service proceed from divine grace, not flawless human certainty. 3. Worship and Doubt Can Co-exist. Matthew reports worship and hesitation in one breath, challenging the notion that genuine faith requires the absolute elimination of wavering. Pastoral and Practical Applications • Encourage transparent communities where questions are voiced without censure. • Direct doubters to the evidences God has provided—fulfilled prophecy, empty tomb, transformed lives. • Emphasize that assurance grows through obedience; Jesus’ antidote to doubt was immediate commission, integrating faith into action. Conclusion Matthew 28:17 does not depict failure but reality: finite humans meeting infinite glory. By recording lingering hesitation, Scripture dismantles the myth that authentic discipleship demands unbroken psychological certainty. Instead, it portrays faith as trust that perseveres through moments of ambiguity, ultimately anchored in the risen Christ whose authority and presence (28:18-20) secure salvation—not the perfection of our subjective confidence. |
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