THE DISCIPLES’DOUBT

The 12 disciples lived with, traveled with and learned from Jesus over a period of about three years. In many respects they knew him well. Yet they seem never to have understood fully the type of Messiahship to which he had been called and the role he had planned for them. The scriptures indicate that Jesus tried to explain to them several times that he must be killed and then would rise again on the third day, but the disciples simply didn’t understand what this meant.

With 2000 years of hindsight, we can understand that Jesus’ entire ministry served as preparation for his resurrection. Why didn’t the Twelve see it coming? It’s somewhat daunting to try to put oneself into the sandals of the disciples, but here’s my attempt. There’s no doubt that the disciples had a far different view of what the Messiah would be like than we do today.

The Old Testament prophets had given the Jews of the first century A.D. every reason to expect that the Messiah would be a mighty political or military leader. Indeed, many people of that era wanted a military Messiah who would save Israel from Roman occupation.

In that context, perhaps it’s not surprising that the disciples appear not to have recognized immediately that Jesus was the Messiah. He just didn’t fit the stereotype. Jesus preached about love, mercy and the kingdom of God. He performed miracles by healing the sick and lame, driving out demons and – after blessing the loaves and fishes – feeding several thousand people. These were not the sorts of things the disciples were expecting from the Messiah.

Thus, Jesus’ betrayal, arrest and crucifixion had to be both a total surprise and totally devastating to the remaining 11 disciples. Everything they had hoped for and dedicated their lives to had died along with Jesus. It just wasn’t supposed to end this way. In the depths of their grief, they must have been asking themselves: Now what? What will become of us? What should we do next?

Before having time to sort out answers to any of those questions, the disciples faced another surprise on Easter morning. The tomb was empty. From the account of the resurrection in John 20:1-9, after Simon Peter and “the other disciple” (probably John) entered the empty tomb, we read: “They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.”

Now, fast forward to Lent in 2005. As we look back at the disciples, perhaps all of us can relate to them in one way or another. They were so very human. It may not be so surprising that we, too, at times can find it difficult to understand what Jesus’ Messiahship means in our lives. The world we live in may be different than ancient Israel, but temptation and sin still tend to keep people from having right relationships with God. Salvation is needed at least as much now as it was back then.

Frankly, I take some hope once again from the example of the disciples as they struggled to find their way forward. When Jesus met with them that first Easter evening, He told them (John 20:21): “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” In the months and years that followed, the disciples did not always know where they were going every step of the way, but the Holy Spirit guided them. They preached the good news in many nations and built a faith that has lasted and grown from generation to generation. The fact that we’re observing Lent and looking forward to Easter in 2005 is testimony to the success of their efforts.

May our hearts, like those of the original disciples, be open to Jesus’ message of repentance, salvation and love. And may the Holy Spirit guide us this Lenten season and through the rest of our lives. Amen.

— Dan Pearson

Courtesy of The Church of the Good Shepherd United Methodist