DOUBTING JESUSLessons From the Lord’s Skeptics

A CROWD OF UNBELIEVERS: MARK 9As the crowd argued with the disciples over their inability to cure the spirit possessed boy, Jesus marked them as an “unbelieving generation“

The boy’s father knew Jesus to be compassionate, but was doubtful that the Lord had the power to help.

HOME TOWN DOUBTERS: THE OFFENDEDThe people in Jesus’ hometown of Nazareth were unable to reconcile the greatness of Jesus with His overwhelming ordinariness: They “took offense” (MT 13:57)Skandalizō – The idea is to put a stumbling block in front of someone and cause them to fall:

John the Baptist (LK 7:23) had to be admonished not to allow his idea of what the Lord should be doing cause him to stumble

JESUS’ FAMILY: THE “TOO FAMILIAR” The frustrations of Jesus’ own family are seen in the actions they took to “take Him into custody” in Mark 3

Their opinion of Him is further highlighted in John 7 when His unbelieving brothers sarcastically question His authenticity

PHARISEES: THE REJECTING DOUBTERSA defining trait of the Pharisees was their great fear over anything that might cause them to lose what they had

Their fear of giving anything up led them to reject God’s purpose

THE DISCIPLES: 3 LONG YEARS OF DOUBTJesus’ ministry with the 12 began and ended on a note of doubt

Despite Jesus plain statements, their failure to really listen led to a lack of growth and conviction