Faith's Journey: Embracing Doubt and Recognizing Need
Summary
In today's Easter sermon, we explored the profound implications of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the faith journey that leads us to recognize Him as our King. We delved into the stories of two seemingly peripheral figures in the Gospel accounts—Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea. Their gradual, risk-laden steps toward faith offer us a powerful example of discipleship that is both authentic and relatable.
We began by considering the extravagant act of Nicodemus, who brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes weighing about 75 pounds to anoint Jesus' body. This act, which represented a fortune equivalent to a hundred years' wages, was a declaration of Jesus' kingship. Both Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea took significant risks in their association with Jesus, who was condemned for treason. Their actions teach us that faith can involve sacrifice and risk, but it is not solely defined by these elements.
I emphasized that faith often starts not with sacrifice but with recognizing our needs. Jesus invites those who are weary and burdened to come to Him for rest, teaching, and guidance. This invitation is the beginning of a faith journey that is characterized by a process of growth and maturation. Like athletes who train and develop over time, our faith is not static but dynamic, evolving through stages of learning, questioning, and sometimes even doubting.
Doubt, as I pointed out, is not the antithesis of faith but an integral part of it. Faith requires the presence of doubt because it is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. We discussed the example of Thomas, who doubted the resurrection until Jesus appeared to him, offering reassurance and acceptance of his doubts. This teaches us that Jesus meets us in our doubts and helps us to overcome them.
The resurrection story could have been jeopardized had there been no body for Jesus to rise from. The Roman practice of leaving crucified victims to decay on the cross posed a significant threat to the fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy of rising on the third day. However, Joseph of Arimathea's bold request to Pilate for Jesus' body and the subsequent burial in a new tomb ensured that the resurrection could occur as foretold.
In conclusion, our faith journey is a process that begins with recognizing our need for Jesus and continues through risks, sacrifices, and even doubts. It is a journey that requires perseverance, humility, and the willingness to grow and change. As we celebrate Easter, we are reminded of the power of the resurrection and the hope it brings to all who believe.
Key Takeaways:
- Faith is often initiated by our recognition of need, not by our capacity for sacrifice. When we are weary and burdened, Jesus offers us rest for our souls, teaching us that our journey with Him begins with our vulnerabilities and His response to them. This is a comforting reminder that we do not need to be strong to start our faith journey; we just need to be open to receiving His rest. [42:47]
- The faith journey is a process, much like the development of an athlete. It involves stages of growth, learning, and even failure. We should not rush this process in ourselves or others, recognizing that each step, no matter how small, is significant in our spiritual development. This perspective encourages patience and grace as we grow in our faith. [39:12]
- Sacrifice and risk are components of faith, but they are not the entirety of it. The actions of Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea demonstrate that while faith may lead to costly decisions, it is also about the daily, often unseen, steps we take towards Jesus. This challenges us to consider the quiet, courageous ways we live out our faith. [47:01]
- Doubt is not the enemy of faith; it is an essential element. Faith requires the presence of doubt, for without it, faith would be sight. The story of Thomas reassures us that Jesus does not reject us for our doubts but meets us in them to help us find belief. This insight invites us to embrace our questions and uncertainties as part of our faith journey. [49:18]
- The resurrection story underscores the importance of individual actions in God's plan. Joseph of Arimathea's request for Jesus' body played a crucial role in the fulfillment of the prophecy of the resurrection. This reminds us that God can use our actions, no matter how insignificant they may seem, to accomplish His purposes. It calls us to be attentive to the opportunities God places before us to serve His kingdom. [32:47]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 19:28-30 (NIV)
> "Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, 'I am thirsty.' A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, 'It is finished.' With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit."
2. John 19:38-42 (NIV)
> "Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there."
3. Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)
> "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
#### Observation Questions
1. What significant act did Nicodemus perform after Jesus' crucifixion, and what did it symbolize? ([41:02])
2. How did Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus demonstrate their faith despite their initial secrecy? ([32:47])
3. What was the Roman practice for handling the bodies of crucified individuals, and how did it pose a problem for the resurrection prophecy? ([27:47])
4. According to the sermon, what is the starting point of faith as described by Jesus in Matthew 11:28-30? ([42:47])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea chose to publicly associate with Jesus after His death, despite the risks involved? ([45:18])
2. How does the act of Joseph of Arimathea requesting Jesus' body from Pilate reflect his growth in faith? ([32:47])
3. What does the sermon suggest about the role of doubt in the faith journey, particularly in the story of Thomas? ([49:18])
4. How does the concept of faith as a process, similar to the development of an athlete, change our understanding of spiritual growth? ([39:12])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt weary and burdened. How did you respond to Jesus' invitation to find rest in Him? ([42:47])
2. Have you ever taken a significant risk or made a sacrifice because of your faith? What was the outcome, and how did it affect your spiritual journey? ([47:01])
3. In what ways can you relate to Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea's gradual steps toward a more public faith? What small steps can you take this week to be more open about your faith? ([32:47])
4. How do you handle doubts in your faith? What can you learn from Thomas' experience with Jesus that might help you address your own doubts? ([49:18])
5. Think about a specific area in your life where you need to grow in faith. What practical steps can you take to nurture that growth, similar to how an athlete trains and develops? ([39:12])
6. How can you be more attentive to the opportunities God places before you to serve His kingdom, even if they seem insignificant? ([32:47])
7. Identify one person in your life who might be in the early stages of their faith journey. How can you support and encourage them without rushing their process? ([39:12])
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Vulnerability in Faith
Our journey with Christ often begins at a point of need, where we feel weary and burdened. It is in these moments of vulnerability that we are most open to the rest and peace that Jesus offers. This rest is not a passive state but an active invitation to lay down our struggles and receive His grace. It is a reminder that strength in faith does not come from our own efforts but from the willingness to be open and reliant on Jesus. In our weakness, His strength is made perfect, and our faith journey can truly begin. This is a comforting reminder that we do not need to be strong to start our faith journey; we just need to be open to receiving His rest [42:47].
"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:28-29)
Reflection: What burdens are you carrying today that you need to surrender to Jesus in order to receive His rest?
Day 2: The Process of Spiritual Growth
The development of our faith can be likened to the training of an athlete, requiring time, dedication, and patience. It is a process that involves learning, questioning, and even failing at times. Each stage of growth is significant, and we must allow ourselves and others the grace to grow at our own pace. Just as athletes do not become champions overnight, our spiritual maturity unfolds through daily disciplines, experiences, and the lessons we learn from them. This perspective encourages patience and grace as we grow in our faith [39:12].
"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen." (2 Peter 3:18)
Reflection: What is one spiritual discipline you can practice this week to help you grow in your faith?
Day 3: The Quiet Courage of Faith
Faith is not only about grand gestures of sacrifice but also about the small, daily steps we take towards Jesus. The actions of Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea remind us that faith can lead to costly decisions, but it is also lived out in the quiet, courageous choices we make every day. These choices may not always be visible to others, but they are significant in the eyes of God. This challenges us to consider how we are living out our faith in the everyday moments of life [47:01].
"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9)
Reflection: What is one small but courageous step you can take today to live out your faith more authentically?
Day 4: Doubt as a Companion to Faith
Doubt is not the enemy of faith; rather, it is an essential part of the journey. Faith involves the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen, which inherently includes elements of doubt. The story of Thomas reassures us that Jesus does not reject us for our doubts but meets us in them to help us find belief. This insight invites us to embrace our questions and uncertainties as part of our faith journey [49:18].
"For we walk by faith, not by sight." (2 Corinthians 5:7)
Reflection: How can you bring your doubts to Jesus today, and what steps can you take to seek His presence in the midst of them?
Day 5: Individual Actions in God's Plan
The resurrection story highlights the significance of individual actions in the unfolding of God's plan. Joseph of Arimathea's bold move to request Jesus' body was crucial in the fulfillment of the prophecy of the resurrection. This reminds us that our seemingly small actions can have a profound impact in God's kingdom. It calls us to be attentive to the opportunities God places before us to serve His purposes [32:47].
"And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14b)
Reflection: What is one opportunity God has placed before you to serve His kingdom, and how can you act on it today?
Quotes
"Faith is a process and that process doesn't go with the speed that I pick for it, it doesn't go at the speed you pick for it... as we grow in the faith it's a process and some people are still a little bit undercover Christianity... as long as the process is moving, as long as there's steps, as long as things are going." [40:24]
"Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about 75 pounds... Nicodemus is treating him like a king so while Nicodemus took a while to get there, he got there... Joseph of Arimathea took a while to get there, he got there." [41:39]
"Faith doesn't normally start with sacrifice, it starts with needs. Faith starts with the needs we have... Jesus says come to me all you who are weary and carry heavy burdens and I will give you rest... this is a world that is weary, it's heavy." [42:47]
"Faith can include sacrifice and risks... Nicodemus spent a literal fortune, a hundred years wages... Joseph could not know how pilate would feel until he approached him... mere association with one condemned for treason could lead to a person's execution under paranoid rulers." [47:01]
"Faith requires doubt if there is no doubt there is no faith... Faith will become sight because once you see it you don't need Faith anymore... I have questions, I have doubt, it's part of your faith so if you have doubt don't go 'oh that's how it works'." [49:18]
"Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus... Joseph was a disciple of Jesus but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders... with Pilot's permission he came and took the body away... Joseph's bold request to Pilate for Jesus' body played a crucial role." [32:47]
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