Read: Matthew 26:36-46
My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will. (v. 39 NIV)
The root idea of doubt is being divided. To doubt is to have a divided mind, a mind that is torn between belief and unbelief. Thomas was of one mind about Jesus’s identity: “My Lord and my God!” The crowd around the cross was of one mind about the falseness of Jesus’s claims. In contrast, doubt is being of two minds about Jesus. Is that what we see on the mountaintop in Matthew 28?
G. K. Chesterton thought that Jesus experienced doubt in Gethsemane because of how he prayed. But that’s not how Jesus described his mind. He spoke of sorrow and trouble, of being overwhelmed and in anguish. Jesus was afraid. What we call doubt is sometimes fear. The horror of what is happening doesn’t divide our minds. It sends them reeling in fear.
Other times what feels like doubt is simply questioning. Read the story of Job carefully and you won’t find that he doubted God. But he surely had some challenging questions for God. Job didn’t have doubt wavering between faith and unbelief. He had faith seeking understanding.
That may explain these disciples, and us. Even though they believed in Jesus as Lord and God, they may still have been filled with questions about what had happened and with fear about what would happen. Sometimes, we don’t have a double mind as much as a troubled mind or a searching mind.
As you pray, ask God to search your heart, and help you know yourself.
About the Author
Rev. Stan Mast is a retired pastor, who served four churches in the West and Midwest regions of the United States. He finished his career with three years of teaching at Calvin Seminary. He is happily married to Sharon, and they have two sons and four grandchildren.
