Burying Doubt

It’s a stunning revelation. He’s shocked as he tries to comprehend what he is being told. “He is alive!” How could that be? He had accepted he was dead, but now he is alive?

But this resurrection story is not about Jesus. It’s about Joseph in the book of Genesis and his father Jacob. His sons have just returned from Egypt where they went to get food for there was a famine in their land. But they brought back more than food. “They told him, saying, ‘Joseph is still alive, and indeed he is ruler over all the land of Egypt.’ But he was stunned, for he did not believe them (Genesis 45:26, NASB).”

Sound familiar? Doubt about what God is capable of doing has been around for a long time. It’s the same response others had when they heard the news that the tomb was empty and Jesus was alive. “When they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they refused to believe it (Mark 16:11).” 

Then there was Thomas who insisted he wouldn’t believe it until he saw Jesus with his own eyes: “Then He said to Thomas, “Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing (John 20:27).” It’s the same doubt Jacob had until he saw Joseph with his own eyes: “Then Israel (Jacob) said to Joseph, “Now let me die, since I have seen your face, that you are still alive (Genesis 46:30).”

Doubt is age old. Yet God is at work behind the scenes fulfilling His plans even though we often cannot see it. Sometimes the sorrow and pain we feel is overwhelming and it’s difficult to find hope. Like Jacob, Thomas and others, it’s hard to believe in what God is capable of doing when we are overcome with grief.

This Easter, immerse yourself in the thought that the tomb is empty. You are no longer imprisoned by sorrow, grief, and hopelessness. The stone has been rolled away. Bury your doubt and look upon your savior who lives. Embrace the hope of the risen Lord.

Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus *said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.” – John 20:28-29, NASB