Doubt?

¹⁹ It was still the first day of the week. That evening, while the disciples were behind closed doors because they were afraid of the Jewish authorities, Jesus came and stood among them. He said, “Peace be with you.” ²⁰ After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. When the disciples saw the Lord, they were filled with joy. ²¹ Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so I am sending you.” ²² Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. ²³ If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven; if you don’t forgive them, they aren’t forgiven.” ²⁴ Thomas, the one called Didymus, one of the Twelve, wasn’t with the disciples when Jesus came. ²⁵ The other disciples told him, “We’ve seen the Lord!” But he replied, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands, put my finger in the wounds left by the nails, and put my hand into his side, I won’t believe.” ²⁶ After eight days his disciples were again in a house and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus entered and stood among them. He said, “Peace be with you.” ²⁷ Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here. Look at my hands. Put your hand into my side. No more disbelief. Believe!” ²⁸ Thomas responded to Jesus, “My Lord and my God!” ²⁹ Jesus replied, “Do you believe because you see me? Happy are those who don’t see and yet believe.” ³⁰ Then Jesus did many other miraculous signs in his disciples’ presence, signs that aren’t recorded in this scroll. ³¹ But these things are written so that you will believe that Jesus is the Christ, God’s Son, and that believing, you will have life in his name. (John 20:19-31, CEB)

This translation gets closer to what Jesus was recorded saying to Thomas. In the original text Jesus says, “καὶ μὴ γίνου ἄπιστος ἀλλὰ πιστός” And in Greek you would put an a in front of a word to negate it. Jesus said to Thomas, “and do not be unbelieving but believing.” or “and do not be untrusting but trusting.” or “and do not be unfaithful but faithful.” In the version most of us heard or read growing up it was translated as do not doubt but believe. As is doubting was the opposite of belief! I doubt all the time but still believe. I doubt that the world will be loving, but I believe that God is always loving and working through us we can be loving too.

We have come to understand questions as bad and doubt as unfaithful, when questioning and doubt is what leads us to deeper faith, trust and belief.

So question and wonder. Also notice that Thomas didn’t do what he said he had to to believe, when his questions were answered he believed.

Don’t let anyone tell you it is unfaithful to question or doubt. Keep on believing.

Love People. Love God.