Seeing and believing

Many of the people who had come to visit Mary saw what Jesus did, and they believed in him. But some of them returned to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. So the Pharisees and the chief priests met with the Council and said, ‘What shall we do? Look at all the miracles this man is performing! If we let him go on in this way, everyone will believe in him, and the Roman authorities will take action and destroy our Temple and our nation!’ (verses 45-48)

Read John 11:45-57

Seeing is believing, we say. But there were some people who, in spite of what they had seen at Bethany, still didn’t believe Jesus was the Son of God. Apparently it’s possible to see and not believe.

How is it with me? Do I see the wonders of nature all around me and yet fail to trust that the powerful, creative God who put it all in place is able to lead me through the maze of life?

Do I see on the cross the Son of God dying for sinners and yet fail to accept that all my sins are completely forgiven?

Do I see the power of the Holy Spirit as people are brought into God’s family and nurtured within it and yet fail to rely on the Spirit’s leading and power?

Believers don’t need to see. But let’s respond in faith to what God does allow us to see.

Triune God, as you reveal yourself more and more to me, grant that I will more and more believe that you are who and what you say you are. Amen.

by Grace Simpson, in ‘New Strength for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 1998)

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