The doubting servants

When we read Luke 1, we saw a faithful priest who doubted God. Zacharias may have been a faithful priest who spent his life serving God. Yet he struggled to believe God was about to perform a miracle for him.

In Luke 24, the last chapter of the book, Jesus’ disciples also struggled with doubt. Though they had followed Jesus closely, heard His preaching, and witnessed His miracles, they did not believe that He had risen from the dead. They lacked faith that He would and could fulfil what He had prophesied.

Jesus heals doubt

To His doubting servants, Jesus gave a remedy. He met 2 of them on the road to Emmaus and used the Scriptures to help them gain faith:

“Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.” (Lk 24:25-26)

What helped them?

Understanding how God's word explained their doubts on Jesus’ suffering and glory.

Though Jesus called His disciples “witnesses”, their faith was not secured by sight alone. On the road to Emmaus, their eyes were restrained so that they did not recognise Him (Lk 24:16). Later, the 11 disciples and others thought the resurrected Jesus in their presence was a spirit. Even after seeing His hands and feet, “they still did not believe for joy” (Lk 24:41).

Jesus also pointed them to Scripture:

“Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.” (Lk 24:44).

Doubts reveals weakness in our faith. But even in weakness, the disciples’ hearts were still faithfully ready to learn. After hearing the word of God and understanding it, they were strengthened in faith to proclaim the great things they'd seen Jesus done (Rom 10:17, 14-15).

The Gospel of Luke may start and end with doubting servants of Christ, but His servants are never left alone in their doubts. Shortly after rebuking and teaching His disciples here, Jesus promised to give them the Holy Spirit. He'd give them power from above to help them overcome weakness (Lk 24:49).

Today, we too are equipped with this same power. The Spirit of truth helps us remember God’s word when our doubts need His healing (Jn 14:26; 16:13). You may have experienced this, perhaps in the form of a verse coming to mind just as you had certain doubts in your faith.

When we doubt, we might be tempted to walk away from Christ. Even faithful servants of God doubt. Instead, we can draw near to God and seek medicine from His Bible for our doubting hearts.

What does the Bible say about what we are unsure of?

Accept with faith. And the word of God will set your heart ablaze, burning within you for Him.

Reflection questions

1. What is 1 thing you are struggling to have full faith in? What does the Bible say about it?

2. Have you ever experienced the Holy Spirit bringing to mind God’s word when you were struggling in your faith?