Scripture
Our verse for today comes from John 13:19, ” Now I tell you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe that I am He. “
Background
It’s important that we believe that Jesus is the Messiah. I know that sounds like an obvious statement, but we may take for granted how critical its truth is. Jesus placed no less an importance on that belief than the eternal destiny of mankind. And not just the destiny of me as an individual believer, but hanging in the balance is the eternal destiny of all those who come after us. Jesus took great pains to make it clear to His disciples that bad things were coming. And He knew that when disappointment, uncertainty, and fear threaten our minds, so too does unbelief. Therefore, Jesus wanted them to fully understand that only when their belief was firmly grounded in Jesus as the Christ could they go forth and declare the truth of the gospel that would save the world. Now, understood in that relationship is that the belief in Jesus as Messiah would compel us to go and represent Him to the lost as the answer for their sin and shame. Our rock solid faith in the risen Savior, Jesus conveyed, would be the catalyst for declaring the one message that could bring the healing that the unsaved so desperately need. And so, Jesus told them of the betrayal that was to come at the hands of one of His closest pupils. The dagger that would pierce His heart would come from one within arm’s length. And knowing that, the disciples would only believe more, not doubt more, when all seemed lost.
Application
When the tomb was empty, they wouldn’t wonder what to do next, or who might have stolen the body. Their faith would be sealed by the Holy Spirit, and where there once was confusion and pride there would be power and boldness and commitment. But it all goes back to believing. What might be lacking in your experience and expression of your relationship with Jesus is somehow tied to a belief that could use some shoring up from the Master. Something may have caused a chink in your faith, or you may never have quite gotten to where you know you should be. The good news is that God gives faith, and asking Him is a request that He will answer.
Charge
As we seek Him today, place your faith completely in the power and work of our Lord Jesus and fully believe in Him.
Author – Rich Holt | BCWorldview.org
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