So that you may believe!
Believing is the source of life!
He is aware of our frailties.
Have you ever noticed how when something is really important to us, we feel the need to repeat ourselves? And of course there are the people who keep repeating themselves in the belief that if they just say it enough, everyone will believe it. LOL! Unfortunately for them, it usually doesn’t work that way.
But then we see a subject that is so important to God, that he repeats it several times. Ideally, God would not have to say anything but one time for us to obey. However, we humans can be a bit thick-skulled and sluggish to conform. Thankfully for us, he is aware of our frailties and shortcomings and offers us plenty of room to get with the program. He gives many signs, “so that you may believe.”
Sole purpose
Our faith is one of those subjects that God talks about a lot! In the book of John alone, we are given at least eight times that Jesus did things just so that our faith would be strengthened. Eight times! We can know that God really wants us to get it. Lol!
One of the first examples is John 1:6-7: There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. (Emphasis mine) John’s sole purpose for existence was to lead the people to a belief in Jesus. He was born so that we would believe!
Life-changing, undeniable miracle!
In chapter 11, we find another great example: Verses 14-15 say, Then Jesus told them [his disciples] plainly, “Lazarus has died, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” John tells us earlier in the story that after Jesus was told that Lazarus was ill, he delayed going to Lazarus for two more days. It seems obvious from that fact that he wanted to give them plenty of time to prepare the body and put Lazarus in the tomb before he arrived.
Jesus already knew that he was going to raise Lazarus from the dead, but waiting the extra time would emphasis the hopelessness of the situation to everyone else. He delayed going specifically so that all those at the tomb could see a life-changing, undeniable miracle. After all, it makes no difference to Jesus how long a body is in the tomb. His power is greater than the power of the grave! The delay was so that we would believe!
He possessed all the power.
Later, in that same narrative, we see: And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” John 11:41b-42. (Emphasis mine) Jesus did not have to pray out loud. He did not have to pray at all. Being God, he could command Lazarus to come out of the grave whenever he chose. After all, he already possessed all the power to do so. But He chose to pray those words to benefit us! He wanted us to believe in him!
In the next chapter, John gives us this account of Jesus talking with the Father: “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not mine. John 12:27-30 (Emphasis mine)
God spoke audibly for our sake!
Jesus did not need the Father to speak audibly for him to hear him. After all, they were one. Jesus always knew what the Father wanted and always heard his voice. The Father spoke audibly for our sake. So that we would believe!
I have told you before it happens.
We also see that Jesus frequently told his disciples about things that were going to happen before they happened. This was the case with Judas’ betrayal. In John 13:18b-19, Jesus says, “But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he.” (Emphasis mine)
And in John chapter 14, while Jesus is talking to his disciples about his coming death, He says in verse 29, “And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe.” (Emphasis mine)
Unforgettable!
We see that both these foretellings took place so that we may believe. Jesus knew everything that was about to happen to him – all the time. He probably chose to foretell these two events because they were so drastic and unbelievable. That made them unforgettable. No way were the disciples going to forget that he had made those prophecies! So when they came true, once again the deity of Jesus was proven. Proven for our sakes – that we might believe!
Believing God is the only path to a life filled with joy and peace. He loves you! Believe it!
See you out there! 🙂
Guard Rail:
BELIEVE GOD!
We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.
Romans 3:22 (NLT)