Why do doubts arise in your hearts?

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As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.”
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Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things

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When we are dealing with people who struggle with the concept of the resurrection it is always helpful to remember that the disciples who knew him best also struggled. These who watched Jesus Christ suffer and die had doubts in their hearts when they heard the reports of his return to life. Even when he appeared in the room with them they were frightened and doubted. I wonder if they would have believed at all if they had not touched him and talked with him?

I love how he opens their minds to understand the prophetic messianic scriptures. If they ever doubted that he was the Messiah they now doubted no more. And it is with this new understanding and faith that Jesus commissions them to proclaim the good news of his suffering, death and resurrection. These, who moments prior doubted, would be the ones who would turn the world upside down. It is an encouraging message for those who struggle to believe.

Please open our minds and our hearts to believe and understand what is written of you in the scriptures Lord.

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