We Believe

John 16:29-30.

His disciples said unto Him, Lo, now speakest Thou plainly, and speakest no proverb.

Now are we sure that Thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask Thee: by this we believe that Thou camest forth from God.

The disciples still had a way to go before their belief in Jesus was solid, clear, and sustaining. They believed, as we do, based on the knowledge they had. Because Jesus now spoke in plain language, it was easier for them to understand and accept what He was saying.

You may wonder about the graphic I chose today. At first glance, it doesn’t seem related to the verses of this post. But if you think about it just for a few minutes, you will realize that it has everything to do with these words of the disciples to Jesus.

Apparently, there was still doubt, there were still questions, about Jesus. He had told them repeatedly that He and the Father were One; that He came from God. He showed them through miracles, through His behavior, through quoting Old Testament scriptures. You may be thinking, “They must have been pretty dense!” but you have to put yourself in their places, and think about what they were hearing and seeing from their perspectives as good, faithful Jews who were counting on the Law for their salvation. After all, Jesus was not the first to rise up and claim to be the Messiah! He was, however, the first to consistently point to His own coming death and resurrection; the first to perform incredible, unexplainable miracles; the first to NOT claim to be a political leader who would rescue them from Rome.

Belief often comes in stages. As a young child, I believed what I was hearing about Jesus from my parents, Sunday school teachers, and other leaders. It was simple faith, unquestioning. I understood what sin was, and I knew I was a sinner. Accepting Him as my Savior was a simple act of faith and belief, as only a young child can have. I was five. I have never doubted my salvation; I have, however, grown and changed in the manner of my faith. It is deeper now, filled with far more understanding and humility than when I was five. But that isn’t the end of it. My faith will be complete and fulfilled when I see Jesus, and I look forward to that with increasing desire as I grow older.

The disciples were not young children when they began to follow Jesus, but their understanding was incomplete. It grew as they walked and talked with him; it would grow even more as they preached, endured persecution, and died for Him in the coming years.

So. What first comes to mind when YOU think about God?