Jesus Is Resurrected

Scripture Reading: Matthew 28:1-20, Psalm 16:8-11, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

When left unchecked, doubt will attempt to suffocate our faith and leave us stuck. Attempting to distort our vision and relationship with Christ, doubt brings our facts to the forefront in the form of potential scenarios and chaotic realities as proof that maybe what God declares is possible is actually impossible. Even as we read scriptures declaring how God delivers on His promise time and time again, doubt repeatedly takes on a life of its own. 

If you have ever doubted God’s delivering on a promise, you are in company with some of the disciples seen in Matthew 28. Jesus has died, and Mary Magdalene and Mary are at His tomb. While they expect to find His body lying in the tomb, we read their wide range of emotions as they realize that the Savior has risen! Not only alive, but risen “just as he said” (v.6). When the women rush to share the news, we surprisingly see the word doubt on the page. The disciples also had a wide range of responses—“When they saw him, they worshiped, but some doubted” (v.17). They questioned what was unfolding right in front of them because it was incomprehensible! 

The same people who walked with Jesus during His earthly ministry and witnessed His miracles—the ones He specifically told of His return—distrusted what their eyes were seeing. 

Relating to some of the disciples at this moment is not a hard stretch for some of us. The doubt we may experience as we encounter certain challenges, we see in action with some of the disciples. How often have we struggled to believe in the fulfillment of a specific promise God has made? We weather seasons when we feel the scriptures do not apply because victory, healing, or peace seems impossible in this particular storm. How many times are we shocked by the unwavering consistency of God toward His people and delivering on His word when it’s the exact thing He’s promised to do? 

Yet, still, we know the truth! We know God’s voice! No matter what past circumstances or the present culture or even the thundering chant of disbelief says, Jesus always delivers on His promises to us. His follow-through is perfect. 

Psalm 16:8–11 encourages us to always keep our eyes on the Lord even when we do not know the outcome. When the facts tell us to go a different direction and the steps forward are trembling ones, we are to remain steady, lean on Him, and find joy in His presence. As we reflect on moments when God has instructed us to move forward as significant decisions need to be made, or when dynamics appear to be irreversible, there God is. Even in the storm, He is there, promising to cover and keep us—at times, even amid our struggle to belief. 

Jesus defeated death. He rose again. Just like He said!

Written by Bethny Ricks