Matthew 28:17
When they saw him [the resurrected Jesus], they worshiped him; but some doubted.
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But some doubted? They saw him murdered, wrapped and placed in the tomb. They heard the reports of those who went to the tomb and now, with their own eyes, they see Him. With their own ears they hear Him. But they still doubted!?

I find some encouragement in this passage. If some of these, with all the tangible, physical evidence in front of them, could still doubt perhaps my questions and occasional doubting is not so hopeless. But here is the most encouraging part: though He knew some still doubted He did not berate, or even name, them. This would have been the time to say, “But Thomas still doubted” or “Matthew was still so weak in his faith that it’s a miracle he made it”.

If this passage is referring to only the 11 disciples, as it infers, then we know that though they still doubted at this moment those doubts would dissipate and they, each one except John, would witness to their faith, their absolute lack of doubt, by dying a martyr’s death. And John, though not martyred,  would also suffer greatly as a testimony of his faith.

While total belief is obviously far better than doubting I’m glad the Lord has a place in His family and in His service for those who sometimes just aren’t sure. How about you?
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John 20:29
Then Jesus told (Thomas), “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Matthew 26:35
But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.
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In this moment with the Lord each of the disciples saw themselves as brave, capable, willing to endure whatever sacrifice for the sake of their beloved friend, Jesus. They were sincere. They were committed. Nothing could make them turn away from Him – at least in this bright moment that is how they saw themselves – but night was coming.

Soon each would abandon Him. In the terror of the coming night, with its mobs and arrest, interrogation and intimidation, the true character of each disciple would be tested and shown for what it really was – weak, inept, lacking the courage of will to follow through on the vow they made in the daylight of His presence.

Two thousand years later little has changed. I find that on the mountaintop it is easy to sing and praise and tell Him of my undying devotion but then a little darkness comes – we lose a job, we lose our health, we lose a relationship and suddenly it is also easy to lose all courage to “never disown” Him. Suddenly we begin to doubt, question, some even curse God as unfair, unloving, uninvolved.

The darkness, rather than the light, reveals our faith for what it truly is – genuine and tempered or flakey, fading and impotent. All of us can be bold and brave – even boastful – in the times of daylight but this passage reminds me that it is how I respond in the difficult times, times when God seems distant, even absent, it is those times which reveal the depth of my walk with the Lord.

In the times of daylight I need to be putting down deep roots, learning to live humbly and dependent upon the Lord so that when the inevitable darkness comes my faith will survive because it will be rooted in His omnipotence not in my impotence.
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John 15:4-5
No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

The Almighty God who flung the stars and planets into their orbits, who scooped out the oceans with His hand and before whom all creation bows, manifests Himself in the flesh and for His first great act He turns water into wine. Sounds pretty trivial even if you are a wine lover.

In the home of an unnamed host, at the wedding of an anonymous couple, in an obscure village and though His hour had not yet come He turns water into wine? Even then, except for a few unspecified disciples and some common household servants, none of the VIPs at the party were even aware they were drinking wonder wine. What an inconspicuous way to launch a world changing ministry. Perhaps there is something I need to learn from this.

In all the talk we hear today of being a “world changer” and doing great things for God we see that the One who truly did change the world started with a trivial need at hand. With no fanfare, no cosmic applause or even a “thank you” from those served, He acted to alleviate a simple need. I find it easy to become so focused upon saving humanity that I forget about the individuals I encounter along the way. While dreaming of doing great things for God it’s easy to miss the tiny things I can do to represent Him right now. Give a cup of cool water, change diapers in the church nursery, hold a door open for a mom with three little ones in tow, let a car into my lane or let someone else go first – all trivial things but a place to start.

Sample Prayer: Lord, help me not be so in love with the masses that I overlook the one You put in my path today. Remind me that the tiniest act of kindness done in your holy name is not wasted nor will be forgotten.
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Matthew 10:42
And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.