Whac-A-Mole: Universalism — Thursday
Matthew 28:16-17
Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted! (NLT)
This week’s daily devotions are following the Whac-A-Mole teaching series. We concluded the series with a message about Universalism. Universalism could be understood as the belief that God will redeem everyone, and there will be no eternal separation from Him. Previously this week, we looked at two people in the Bible who encountered Jesus but chose not to follow or accept Him, at least as far as scripture reveals.
The Bible tells of another instance where, even in the presence of the risen Christ, people were not convinced. On the night before Jesus was crucified, He told his disciples to gather others and meet Him in Galilee after He was raised from the dead. When my wife and I traveled to Israel back in November, we were able to see the mountain believed to be the place Jesus told His followers to go. Mount Arbel overlooks the Sea of Galilee on one side, and towers over a valley on the other. This valley would have been a major thoroughfare for those traveling from Jerusalem and Nazareth to Galilee. Matthew 28 says that when Jesus appeared, they worshiped Him—but some doubted. Some scholars say those who doubted were not necessarily thought to be the disciples, but other people, maybe a few hundred in number, who had heard the news and traveled there. But it’s the collective doubt that is most interesting here. Even though multiple people were seeing the same thing, some were still hesitant to believe.
It’s a reminder for us that there are those who, even if what seems like undeniable proof is in front of them, may not have the faith to believe.
Thursday’s Reflection
There is a role we play in potentially helping someone get to know Jesus. But the final step of faith, and act of humbly choosing to follow Him, will be up to them. May our hearts never tire of helping others see the way even at the risk of rejection.
