Matthew 28:17 - Jesus Trusts Doubters

Jesus stayed on earth for forty days after His resurrection. During those forty days, He appeared multiple times to His disciples. He ate food with a small group of them, proving that He wasn't a ghost or phantasm. (Luke 24:39-43; John 21:12-14; Acts 10:41). He talked one-on-one with Thomas, whose doubting turned into a confession of faith. (John 20:28) “After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time.” (1 Corinthians 15:6, NLT 2015). 

At the end of those forty days, the disciple met Jesus at a prearranged mountainside. It was probably a place where they had gone before to pray with Jesus. (Luke 6:12-13; 9:28)

This was going to be a farewell meeting. The disciple Matthew reports, "When they saw him, they worshiped him--but some doubted!" (Matthew 28:17, New Living Translation, 2015) After forty days of Jesus being alive on earth, some still doubted. It's a perennial choice: either doubt God or worship God. 

Since Jesus was about to return to heaven, He met His disciples on this mountain to leave His ministry and legacy in their hands. Some didn't trust the report of others, they didn't even trust their own senses. Yet Jesus trusted the doubters! For worshippers and doubters alike, His commission to all of them was the same. Immediately after telling us that "some doubted," Matthew's account continues:

“Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18–20, NLT 2015)

We're grateful, God, that we don't have to possess a perfect faith. Even when we're filled with doubts, You still entrust us with Your work here on earth. Forgive our doubting. Strengthen our faith to do your work, to trust that you are always with us. We will worship You and Your Son, in whose name we pray, Amen.