What if I doubt? Matthew 11)
Has something ever kept you up at night? You lay there in bed, tossing and turning- unable to sleep? I know that over the past few nights, I have slept like a baby. That is, waking up every two hours. Because our 6-month-old has kept us up. Every time you think he’s asleep, wam! (Insert crying noises).
What about you? What has kept you up at night? In Matthew chapter 11, John the Baptist has questions that can surely keep him up at night. And not just questions- John is starting to have doubts. Doubts about who Jesus is, doubts about his own ministry.
What about you? What has kept you up at night? In Matthew chapter 11, John the Baptist has questions that can surely keep him up at night. And not just questions- John is starting to have doubts. Doubts about who Jesus is, doubts about his own ministry.
Matthew 11:1-3 (NLT) When Jesus had finished giving these instructions to his twelve disciples, he went out to teach and preach in towns throughout the region. 2 John the Baptist, who was in prison, heard about all the things the Messiah was doing. So he sent his disciples to ask Jesus, 3 “Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?”
So John is doubting. He announced Jesus’ coming and was one of the first to identify Him as the Messiah, but now he is in prison. John started strong, but as the days went on, his excitement faded. Life continued to get harder. Following Jesus began to look different from what he thought it would.
Imagine John, the bold prophet who baptized crowds in the Jordan, now sitting in a cold, dark prison cell. The man who once shouted, ‘Behold the Lamb of God!’ is now whispering to his disciples, ‘Is He really the one?’ Chains clank, his hope fades, and doubt creeps in.
I don’t know about you, but I have had moments like that. Moments when God didn’t do things the way I thought He should- when events didn’t turn out like I thought they should. When I prayed, my prayers didn’t seem to be heard. When I believed in Jesus, but now I feel like I am staring at a brick wall.
Have you ever felt like that? That is where John is at. When you are in that space, how do you think God feels about you? Mad? Angry? Disappointed?
If you have ever had doubts, you aren’t the first. Many people in the Bible had doubts that God helped them overcome:
What do you think Jesus’ response to John is going to be? "Bro, you are the prophet- the forerunner- the one sent to prepare the way for the messiah. If anyone should be immune to doubt, it's you." Or "Get it together, John! You have been a follower for so long- too long to be having these kinds of doubts." But Jesus doesn’t do any of that. Let’s look at his response.
Imagine John, the bold prophet who baptized crowds in the Jordan, now sitting in a cold, dark prison cell. The man who once shouted, ‘Behold the Lamb of God!’ is now whispering to his disciples, ‘Is He really the one?’ Chains clank, his hope fades, and doubt creeps in.
I don’t know about you, but I have had moments like that. Moments when God didn’t do things the way I thought He should- when events didn’t turn out like I thought they should. When I prayed, my prayers didn’t seem to be heard. When I believed in Jesus, but now I feel like I am staring at a brick wall.
Have you ever felt like that? That is where John is at. When you are in that space, how do you think God feels about you? Mad? Angry? Disappointed?
If you have ever had doubts, you aren’t the first. Many people in the Bible had doubts that God helped them overcome:
- Abraham laughed at God’s promise of a son, thinking His age made it impossible.
- Sarah giggled behind the ten flap, doubting her womb could carry a child.
- Moses stuttered and tried to get out of it 5 times.
- Gideon sees an angel cause spontaneous combustion and vanish, and wonders, “Was that God”?
- Elijah went from the mountain top of victory to a valley of doubt and fear.
- Jeremiah said I am too young. Use someone else.
What do you think Jesus’ response to John is going to be? "Bro, you are the prophet- the forerunner- the one sent to prepare the way for the messiah. If anyone should be immune to doubt, it's you." Or "Get it together, John! You have been a follower for so long- too long to be having these kinds of doubts." But Jesus doesn’t do any of that. Let’s look at his response.
Matthew 11:4-6 (NLT) Jesus told them, “Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen—5 the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.” 6 And he added, “God blesses those who do not fall away because of me.”
John asks, "Are you the Messiah?" Does Jesus answer the question? He doesn’t give a verbal answer. He tells them not to take His word for it. Look at the results. Look at the fruit. Am I the Messiah? Well, look what I am doing- you tell me. And see what Jesus is doing here is actually a reference. Cause the prophet Isaiah had predicted some 400 years earlier that the Messiah would do those very things. Jesus’ response to John’s doubt was not anger, disappointment, or disgust. It was compassion. Jesus' solution to John’s doubt was to remind Him of what He had already done. And that is how we can respond to our doubt, too.
When we have doubts about what God is DOING, we need to remember what He has already DONE.
Jesus tells John- Look back. Isaiah said the Messiah will do these things. Heal the deaf. Heal the Lame. Heal the mute. I am out here to bless the poor and raise the dead. Does that not show the heart of God to a broken humanity? John’s present circumstances were cloudy, confusing, and uncertain. Why did God allow him to be in this prison? Why hasn’t Jesus staged a prison break? What was going to happen next?
But John could remember with certainty the things He has already seen God do. And so can we. That’s why the Bible talks about our testimonies. In the moment, in fear, in sorrow, in anger, we have a way of getting tunnel vision and forgetting, of focusing only on the problem at hand. But as we step back, we can see all the ways God showed up before, and choose to believe that even if it doesn’t currently make sense, God will show up now as well. We must write down our testimonies because we often forget. But it's stories like that that build our faith. It's been said that "the faintest of ink is better than the strongest of memory."
But John could remember with certainty the things He has already seen God do. And so can we. That’s why the Bible talks about our testimonies. In the moment, in fear, in sorrow, in anger, we have a way of getting tunnel vision and forgetting, of focusing only on the problem at hand. But as we step back, we can see all the ways God showed up before, and choose to believe that even if it doesn’t currently make sense, God will show up now as well. We must write down our testimonies because we often forget. But it's stories like that that build our faith. It's been said that "the faintest of ink is better than the strongest of memory."
Jesus then goes on to glaze John up- talking about how awesome he is and how important his work was. And this is while John is doubting that very work. God is merciful to those who doubt. Doubt- although it can cause us to question our faith- can be the vehicle that moves us into the next level of our relationship with God. The same questions that kill some people’s faith can be the fuel that purifies our own. There is a Russian proverb that says, "the same boiling water that hardens the egg softens the potato."
God is always good. He is always perfect, always loving. Sometimes, when we doubt, it's not cause God has failed or is untrue, but our understanding was wrong. For example, when some people give their lives to Jesus, they often expect everything to be sunshine and roses from then on. Has that been true for you? That hasn't been my experience.
If that is their belief, what happens when life gets hard and it turns out following Jesus doesn’t mean everything is going to go our way? What happens when following Jesus causes us more trouble than it solves? That person might assume God has failed, doesn’t like them, or isn’t real. But it wasn’t Jesus who failed. What failed was their belief that “following Jesus will make life perfect”.
Jesus never promised that. He said in this world you will have trouble, but take heart, for He has overcome the world. He said he would never leave us —that he would always be with us —but he never promised that we would never have trouble. So in this scenario, this person's faith wasn’t actually in Jesus. Their faith was in the idea that everything would be easy. And then, when it wasn’t easy, their faith was shaken. And now they are doubting.
And actually, I think that’s a good thing. If I have false ideas about God or wrong beliefs, or am putting faith in the wrong spot, I want it to be shaken. How am I ever going to grow in true faith unless the garbage gets taken out?
If that is their belief, what happens when life gets hard and it turns out following Jesus doesn’t mean everything is going to go our way? What happens when following Jesus causes us more trouble than it solves? That person might assume God has failed, doesn’t like them, or isn’t real. But it wasn’t Jesus who failed. What failed was their belief that “following Jesus will make life perfect”.
Jesus never promised that. He said in this world you will have trouble, but take heart, for He has overcome the world. He said he would never leave us —that he would always be with us —but he never promised that we would never have trouble. So in this scenario, this person's faith wasn’t actually in Jesus. Their faith was in the idea that everything would be easy. And then, when it wasn’t easy, their faith was shaken. And now they are doubting.
And actually, I think that’s a good thing. If I have false ideas about God or wrong beliefs, or am putting faith in the wrong spot, I want it to be shaken. How am I ever going to grow in true faith unless the garbage gets taken out?
James 1:2 (NLT) Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
1 Peter 1:6 (NLT) So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. 7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
But often life and circumstance are what teach that lesson, and it is often painful. It was painful for John. But John didn’t shrink back from his doubt. He didn’t say Hmm- I follow Jesus and now I am in prison- that’s not how I thought this should go. Guess I'll give up.
He also wasn’t comfortable or content with his doubt. Our doubts are beneficial if they prompt us to uncover the truth. If instead our doubts make us fear, become lazy in the pursuit of truth, or outright dismiss the evidence available, then we are in danger. But that’s not what John did.
No, not even with His doubts, He went to Jesus and said, "Hey God, this is where I am at." And Jesus responded with Mercy and told John to remember what God had already done. This is the same advice given in the book of Jude.
He also wasn’t comfortable or content with his doubt. Our doubts are beneficial if they prompt us to uncover the truth. If instead our doubts make us fear, become lazy in the pursuit of truth, or outright dismiss the evidence available, then we are in danger. But that’s not what John did.
No, not even with His doubts, He went to Jesus and said, "Hey God, this is where I am at." And Jesus responded with Mercy and told John to remember what God had already done. This is the same advice given in the book of Jude.
Jude 22-23 (NLT) Be merciful to those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.
Jude gives three different prescriptions:
Our doubts are helpful if they push us to find the truth. But if instead we use our doubts to shield us from the truth, to protect us from the things we don’t want to hear, to make excuses for sin, or allow us to live a victim mentality, then they are dangerous.
- For those who have doubts, are confused, have questions, or misunderstandings, be merciful and help them move out of their doubt.
- Others aren’t in a place of vulnerable, open questioning. Some are boldly and confidently walking straight off the edge of a cliff- and those need to be snatched from the fire.
- And still others need mercy and help with their doubts, even while being warned of the real dangers their life are in.
Our doubts are helpful if they push us to find the truth. But if instead we use our doubts to shield us from the truth, to protect us from the things we don’t want to hear, to make excuses for sin, or allow us to live a victim mentality, then they are dangerous.
And we see this also at the end of Matthew 11. The chapter begins with Jesus responding kindly to John the Baptist, who is in doubt, helping to move him out of it. Jesus talks about how great John is, then begins to reprimand those who would not listen to either John or Himself.
Matthew 11:18-19 (NLT) For John didn’t spend his time eating and drinking, and you say, ‘He’s possessed by a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man, on the other hand, feasts and drinks, and you say, ‘He’s a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and other sinners!’ But wisdom is shown to be right by its results.”
John's doubt pushed him to ask more questions and seek Jesus. Their doubt instead caused them to seek excuses not to listen. "Eh, that John guy? He is crazy. He just fasts all the time and doesn’t drink- he probably has a demon. Don’t listen to him. That Jesus guy? Eh, he is always at parties with the worst people- He must be a terrible dude. Don’t listen to Him."
But again, Jesus says Look at the results. “But wisdom is shown to be right by its results.”
The answer to false accusations and the doubts of people is to continue to live the way Jesus taught. Living in the Kingdom bares results.
But again, Jesus says Look at the results. “But wisdom is shown to be right by its results.”
The answer to false accusations and the doubts of people is to continue to live the way Jesus taught. Living in the Kingdom bares results.
God is MERCIFUL to those who doubt, but has no TOLERANCE for unrepentance.
Next Jesus outright rebukes the towns where He has done most of His miracles, where He had shown the most results and fruit, and the people remain unchanged.
Matthew 11:20-24 (NLT) Then Jesus began to denounce the towns where he had done so many of his miracles, because they hadn’t repented of their sins and turned to God. 21 “What sorrow awaits you, Korazin and Bethsaida! For if the miracles I did in you had been done in wicked Tyre and Sidon, their people would have repented of their sins long ago, clothing themselves in burlap and throwing ashes on their heads to show their remorse. 22 I tell you, Tyre and Sidon will be better off on judgment day than you.
23 “And you people of Capernaum, will you be honored in heaven? No, you will go down to the place of the dead. For if the miracles I did for you had been done in wicked Sodom, it would still be here today. 24 I tell you, even Sodom will be better off on judgment day than you.”
23 “And you people of Capernaum, will you be honored in heaven? No, you will go down to the place of the dead. For if the miracles I did for you had been done in wicked Sodom, it would still be here today. 24 I tell you, even Sodom will be better off on judgment day than you.”
God is merciful to those who doubt, but has no tolerance for unrepentance. When we willingly choose to go against God despite knowing better, we are those who need to be snatched from the fire, not those who need gentle redirecting. Unrepentance is the end result of doubts that are never dealt with, which is why, when we have questions and doubts, we should not hide them or be ashamed. We need to bring them to Jesus, to trusted friends, to leaders who can help us wrestle with them. If we wrestle with our doubts, our faith will become stronger. If we surrender to our doubts, we are in danger.
The RIGHT attitude.
Jesus closes Matthew 11 by contrasting the attitude of the unrepentant to the attitude of those who believe.
Matthew 11:25-30 (NLT) At that time Jesus prayed this prayer: “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. 26 Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way! 27 “My Father has entrusted everything to me. No one truly knows the Son except the Father, and no one truly knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”
28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
I think in these verses, Jesus is showing us the keys to coming out on top when we wrestle with doubt.
Jesus said God is hiding the truth from those who think they are wise or clever, but reveals it to the childlike. Jesus says Come to me. Don’t run from me, don’t hide from me. Bring your weariness. Bring your burdens. Bring your questions, your problems, the things you don’t understand. He will give you rest.
If we come to Jesus humbly, with a childlike wonder and curiosity, give him our burdens and doubts- He in return will give us rest. I like how He says He will give us rest, because our doubts produce anxiety. Our doubts produce a need for control- even control over things we can't control. Our doubts produce a need for answers- answers that sometimes we won't get in this life.
Jesus doesn’t promise answers to all our questions. But he promises to teach us what we need. And He promises to give us rest. Give us the ability to put down the things we weren’t meant to carry. So, based on what God has already done and what we can know about Him, we can have a childlike trust in Him, even when there are things we can’t understand.
- Be humble. Be childlike.
- Come to Jesus.
- Let Him teach you.
Jesus said God is hiding the truth from those who think they are wise or clever, but reveals it to the childlike. Jesus says Come to me. Don’t run from me, don’t hide from me. Bring your weariness. Bring your burdens. Bring your questions, your problems, the things you don’t understand. He will give you rest.
If we come to Jesus humbly, with a childlike wonder and curiosity, give him our burdens and doubts- He in return will give us rest. I like how He says He will give us rest, because our doubts produce anxiety. Our doubts produce a need for control- even control over things we can't control. Our doubts produce a need for answers- answers that sometimes we won't get in this life.
Jesus doesn’t promise answers to all our questions. But he promises to teach us what we need. And He promises to give us rest. Give us the ability to put down the things we weren’t meant to carry. So, based on what God has already done and what we can know about Him, we can have a childlike trust in Him, even when there are things we can’t understand.
RECAP:
- If we wrestle with our doubts, our faith will become stronger. If we surrender to our doubts, we are in danger.
- When we have doubts about what God is doing, we need to remember what He has already done.
- God is merciful to those who doubt, but has no tolerance for unrepentance.
One of my favorite prayers in the Bible is Mark 9:24 “I do believe; help my unbelief!” God, I believe. But help the parts of me that have questions. Those parts of me that have lingering doubts.
If we read on in Mark 9 we would see that Jesus did indeed honor that humble request. So today, if you are walking through challenging circumstances or wrestling with doubts, keep pressing in. Keep searching, for we will find Him when we seek Him with all of our hearts. Everyone who seeks finds. If you have questions or would like to talk to a pastor, don't hesitate to reach out to our church: 570-459-2410.