I feel sorry for poor old “doubting” Thomas. The other disciples said that Jesus was alive because they had seen him. Thomas didn’t believe them. A week later Jesus  appeared to the disciples including Thomas. Jesus said to him, “Do not doubt but believe.” I have sympathy with Thomas because I think I would have done just what he did. I would have been doubtful of the other disciples’ claims to have seen Jesus.

I am a skeptic by nature. I question almost everything, a habit which has served me well. The problem with skepticism is that a person really can’t doubt everything. Pure practicality works against doubt. Imagine starting the day by doubting that the floor is still there under your bed. You’d never get anything done. The fact is that we have to live without doubts otherwise we would be paralyzed by our uncertainties. We end up taking things on faith.

That brings me back to the resurrection of Jesus. It can’t be proven. It’s the sort of thing that seems open to doubt. It can only be held as act of faith. Some Christians think it is wicked to doubt the resurrection of Jesus. I think we can’t help but have doubts. The real test isn’t whether we have doubts, but whether we live as if Jesus is raised from the dead despite doubts.

I often have doubts. That’s part of being human. The best I can do is pray, “I believe. Help my unbelief,” and then strive to live my life in Jesus name.

Read Mark 9:17-29 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne