When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. — Matthew 28:17.
Matthew 28:17 presents a poignant paradox: overwhelming awe and profound skepticism coexisting in the same moment. The disciples, eyewitnesses to a life-altering event, react with a spectrum of emotions ranging from worshipful adoration to bewildering doubt. This verse encapsulates the complexity of human response to the extraordinary.
The disciples’ disbelief is understandable given the context. The crucifixion, a public spectacle of brutality, shattered their world. To then encounter Jesus, alive and transformed, was mind-boggling. Their doubt was not a denial of faith but a natural response to the incomprehensible. It highlights the human condition: we yearn for certainty, yet reality often presents us with ambiguities.
Doubt is a testament to our capacity for critical thinking and our search for meaning. Yet, it can also be a formidable obstacle to faith. The tension between doubt and belief is a complex interplay, often characterized by a desire for both certainty and spiritual growth.
In both legal and spiritual realms, we are called to examine evidence carefully and form judgments based on reason. However, unlike the legal system, faith is not solely reliant on empirical evidence. It often involves a leap of faith, a trust in something beyond our understanding.
While doubt may be a natural part of the human experience, it is a dynamic process that involves wrestling with questions, seeking answers, and ultimately trusting in a higher power. One thing is certain, God’s grace is sufficient to overcome even the most persistent doubts.
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