But the eleven disciples went into Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had sent them. When they saw him, they bowed down to him, but some [still] doubted.        Matthew 28:16-17    (WEB, addition & emphasis mine)
The eleven disciples who had spent three years with Jesus doubted. Peter had seen Him transformed on a mountain. John had stood near the cross and watched Him die. They had seen Jesus heal lepers and blind men. They had seen Him raise Lazarus and Jairus’ daughter from the dead. They had seen Jesus control the weather and the grave – and still they doubted!
I have some still in my life, too. I still worry. I still clench my fist whenever her name comes up. I still get frustrated with ____ (too many things!). Does Jesus have a word for me as I linger like the disciples in the world of still? Of course He does!
[Jesus said,] “Behold, I send forth the promise of my Father on you. But wait in the city of Jerusalem until you are clothed with power from on high.†Luke 24:49 (WEB)
Being assembled together with them, he [Jesus] commanded them, “Don’t depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which you heard from me. For John indeed baptized in water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days from now.†Acts 1:4-5 (WEB)
Jesus knew their doubts. Jesus knows mine. He knew them 2000 years ago. He provided His Holy Spirit to get rid of my stills. All I have to do is ask. The disciples met together in Jerusalem and prayed. They stayed together with Mary and 100+ others and prayed and waited for what Jesus had promised. They still had fear and doubts so they waited for the promised power that would destroy the stills.
Am I willing to persevere in prayer with the Lord to get rid of my stills? Here it is! The way to get rid of the worry and frustration and doubt is right here – all I have to do is ask and receive His power. It is the perseverance of asking and the simplicity of receiving that I find difficult. It goes against my fleshly nature. It isn’t about my flesh. It is about my spirit.
On the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came in power, all explanations were superfluous and reasoning had no place. It was seeing with the eyes of their spirit to recognize the Spirit of God that kept those assembled Believers focused correctly on the ‘what next’. They left their stills in the dust.
Doubters became prophets and evangelists. Peter, the barely educated fisherman, preached and the greatest faith movement in all history began! It began because the doubters believed enough to wait for what Jesus promised. And then they believed enough to obey and receive.
Why wouldn’t that work for me? Does Jesus love Peter and John more than me? No. The questionable ingredient lies with me. Am I willing to wait and receive?
God gives. And while I am waiting and eager to receive, I will wait with others who desire the same. We will soar and run and walk and not be weary or faint! (Isaiah 40:29-31) We are filled with the promised power of God!
