SOME DOUBTED | AdventAI

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 12, 1860

"SOME DOUBTED."

DOUBTED in the very presence of Jesus! With his form before them, his voice speaking to them, his countenance, beaming with majesty and love, looking upon them! Yet, with all this fullness and power of evidence, turning faith into very sight, "some doubted."

Ten instances appear to have been recorded when Christ appeared to the disciples after his resurrection. The first, when he met the woman returning with "fear and great joy" after the annunciation of the angels that he was "risen from the dead," (Matt. xxviii. 10, and parallels in the other evangelists.) The second, when he was seen by Mary Magdalene, (John xx. 11–18, and parallels.) A third when he was "seen of Cephas," 1 Cor. xv. 5. The fourth, when he joined the two disciples on the way to Emmaus, Luke xxiv., Mark xvi. The fifth when he appeared "to the disciples," Thomas not being "present with them," Mark xvi. 14, John xx. 19–22. The sixth, when, after six days, he again appeared to them, Thomas being present, (John xx. 26.) The seventh, when he "showed himself to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias." The eighth, when "he appeared to the eleven on a mountain in Galilee," (Matt. xxviii. 16, 17.) The ninth, when "he was seen of James," (1 Cor. xv. 7.) The tenth and last, when he was seen "of all the Apostles," (ib.)

This appearing, therefore, "on a mountain in Galilee," was the eighth time he had "shown himself alive after his passion." All who were present had seen him probably at least three times; most of them oftener. Yet "some doubted."

How plain, then, that doubt cannot be removed nor faith generated by the evidence of sense! "They will not be persuaded," said our Lord of unbelieving men, "though one should rise from the dead." Here was one who "had risen from the dead," and had appeared to them repeatedly—"Yet some doubted."

Their doubts are the more remarkable that they had gone away "to a place where Jesus had appointed them." Would he not keep his word! Was not his very appearance at the time and place appointed, a proof that it was no "phantasm," but the true and living person of their Lord? Yet against the evidence at once of faith and sense, "some doubted."

"Some," therefore, will "doubt," whatever strength and variety of evidence is given them. Doubt is, in such minds, a subjective affair, a mental and spiritual infirmity. It can no more be overpowered by evidence than blindness can be banished by the splendor of meridian sunlight. The cure must be, where the defect is, inward. The apprehension and grasp of the inner man must be restored. Truth cannot of itself give that. Grace must supervene. The sovereign word of him who said over the sightless eyes, "Ephphatha!" and to him of the withered hand, "Stretch forth thine hand!"—can alone give to fallen nature the sight and strength which it has not.

But to each and all of us he says, Open thine eyes! Stretch forth thine hand! Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. He who obeys, imbibes the light of truth and the power of holy acts. He who obeys not, "doubts;" and must continue in this infirm and ineffectual spiritual condition, till the dimness of doubt passes through deeper and deeper shades, into the "blackness of darkness."

But there may be a partial doubt—an imperfect apprehension and weak grasp, which yet admits enough of truth and includes enough of faith "to the saving of the soul." It is an unhappy state, though not, in such cases, a fatal one. But how desirable to emerge from it into the unclouded light and perfect joy of faith;—especially, when there is so sweet and sure a means of doing this as "looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith!"