Worship Anyway
“Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. " Matthew 28:16-17
“When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.”
What a powerful moment of honesty in a scripture we often skip over.
Matthew 28:17 doesn’t sanitize the disciples. These were not strangers questioning whether Jesus was real. These were the disciples. The ones who walked with Him, ate beside Him, watched Him heal the sick, calm storms, and raise the dead. The ones now standing face-to-face with the resurrected Christ.
And still… some doubted.
Scripture could have left that detail out. But it didn’t. God, in His kindness, preserved it for us. Maybe because He knew how many of us would one day love Him deeply and still wrestle internally. Maybe because He knew there would be moments where faith and fear would sit side by side in our hearts.
The verse doesn’t say “some doubted, so they left.” It says they worshiped Him; but some doubted. Both existed at the same time. Awe and uncertainty. Faith and fear. Worship and questions.
They did not wait until every question disappeared to bow before Jesus. They worshiped in the middle of their uncertainty.
Sometimes we think worship only belongs to people with unwavering confidence. We assume doubt disqualifies us from closeness with God. But the disciples show us something different. Worship is not always the absence of questions. Sometimes worship is the choice to fall at His feet anyway.
Sometimes faith looks less like certainty and more like obedience.
The doubting disciples teach us that doubt does not disqualify someone from drawing near to Jesus.
And what does Jesus do with these worshiping-but-doubting disciples?
He comes closer. He draws near.
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go…” (Matthew 28:18-19)
Jesus did not revoke their calling because they struggled. He did not say, “Come back once your faith is perfect.” He commissioned them anyway.
Why?
Because the mission was never dependent on the disciples’ authority in the first place.
Jesus did not send them out based on their strength, wisdom, eloquence, or flawless trust. He sent them under His authority.
Like representatives of a king carrying the seal of the kingdom.
Like children sent by their father in his name.
Like ambassadors who do not speak for themselves, but on behalf of the one who sent them.
The power was never theirs to manufacture.
And that is comforting for us too.
Because if God only used people who never wrestled with fear, insecurity, confusion, or doubt, no one would be used. I know I certainly would never be. The gospel has always been carried by imperfect people sustained by a perfect Savior.
Maybe you feel disqualified right now because your faith feels shaky. Maybe there are prayers you still do not understand, fears you cannot seem to silence, or questions you are almost afraid to admit out loud.
But the disciples stood in the physical presence of the risen Jesus and still battled doubt. Yet He entrusted them with the message that would change the world.
Your usefulness to God is not rooted in your ability to trust perfectly. It is rooted in Christ’s authority, Christ’s power, and Christ’s faithfulness.
So worship anyway.
Even if your hands shake.
Even if your understanding feels incomplete.
Even if part of your heart is still learning to trust.
Worship anyway.
And then go wherever He sends you. Jesus is still able to work through trembling disciples.
@bytaylormcgee
