Seeing Jesus through our doubt
In the final message of our Easter Series, Pastor Jake shared that faith is not the absence of doubt, but the willingness to bring our questions honestly before God and others. Even when we cannot see or feel God at work, He remains faithful, loving, and trustworthy.
The story of Thomas in John 20:19-29 reminds us that encountering Jesus — even in our uncertainty — can transform us from the inside out. Thomas, often called “the doubter,” was not rebuked for his questions. Instead, Jesus met him right in the middle of his skepticism after Jesus’ death and resurrection, inviting him to touch His wounds and see for himself. This encounter did not just resolve Thomas’s doubts; it led him to a deeper confession of faith: “My Lord and my God.”
Doubt, then, is not the enemy of faith. It is often the evidence of a living, expectant faith that wrestles with the gap between what we believe about God and what we experience in the world. The Christian life is not about having every answer or presenting a polished exterior. It is about pressing into community, being honest about our struggles, and allowing our questions to become doorways to deeper intimacy with Christ.
When we face seasons of doubt, our natural tendency may be to withdraw from others or to hide our questions out of shame. Yet, the call is to press in — to seek out Christian community, to be vulnerable, and to let others carry us when our faith feels weak. The church must be a safe place for honest wrestling, not a place for trite answers or superficial faith. God is not threatened by our doubts; He invites us to bring them to Him, to lament, to pray, and to seek His presence even when we do not understand.
Ultimately, doubt can lead to a more robust, resilient faith if we allow it to drive us toward Jesus rather than away from Him. The resurrection of Christ is the foundation for our trust, even when we cannot see the outcome. In our darkest moments, God’s presence is often most profound, and our places of greatest questioning can become the very places from which we minister to others.
The journey through doubt is not a detour from faith — it is often the very path by which God deepens our trust and reveals His love.
Reflection Questions
- Pastor Jake talked about how our natural tendency in seasons of doubt is to withdraw from community out of shame or fear. When you have experienced doubt, have you tended to isolate yourself or press into community? What would it look like for you to let others “carry you” in a season of weak faith?
- Thomas was honest about his doubts, even in front of his friends. Is there a question or struggle you’ve been hiding from God or others? What would it look like to bring it into the light this week?
- Jake said, “God is not threatened by our doubts; He invites us to bring them to Him, to lament, to pray, and to seek His presence even when we do not understand.” What is one practical way you can bring your doubts to God this week — through prayer, journaling, or another practice?
- The difference between humble doubt and skepticism is the posture of the heart. When you have questions about God, do you approach Him with a desire to understand, or with cynicism or pride? How can you cultivate a more humble, open posture in your doubts?
- Jake encouraged the church to be a safe place for honest wrestling, not a place for trite answers or superficial faith. How can you help make our church community a safer place for people to share their doubts and questions?
Watch the Message
Worship Songs from April 27
- “Reckless Love”
- “Way Maker”
- “Worthy of My Song (Worthy of It All)” (after the message)
- “Battle Belongs” (after the message)