Heart faith
by Tatiana Overduin
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I say these things so you might be saved (John 5:34b).
Read John 5:31–40
This text offers an amazing insight into Jesus’ own testimony as the one sent from his Father. The preceding verses reveal a conversation between Jesus and the Jewish leaders, who are seeking validation of who he is – his authority and authenticity. Jesus rebukes the leaders because they look for human validation through witnesses rather than trusting in his teachings and miracles (verse 36).
Jesus reveals the truth of who he is, testifying that it is God the Father who has sent him (verse 37). It is also important to note that they do not believe his message because they do not believe in their hearts (verse 38). They search the Scriptures for eternal life, yet refuse to believe that Jesus is the one sent from the Father – the one to whom the Scriptures point (verse 40). Jesus continues to rebuke them, saying that he knows they do not have God’s love within them because they have rejected him (verse 42).
Heart – faith. As I reflect on this text, I think about ‘heart faith’. How often I lose heart over what are, in hindsight, insignificant things. To lose heart is to become discouraged. If I place my trust in earthly things, such as other people’s approval, it is no wonder I lose heart. Jesus himself says in verse 44: ‘No wonder you can’t believe! For you gladly honour one another but do not seek the honour that comes from the one who alone is God.’
What is our measure of success, faith and trust in God alone? It is so easy to become caught up in the troubles and cares that fill our lives, or in what others think. Our guide should always be to live lives pleasing to God: trusting him for all our needs and trusting him even when we are prone to doubt.
Heart faith grows as we read the Scriptures daily, because the whole of Scripture points to Jesus. Jesus tells the Jewish leaders that ‘Moses wrote about him’ (verse 46), and goes on to say, ‘If you do not believe what he wrote, how will you believe what I say?’
The whole Bible is a testimony to Jesus. It is a story that points to him: ‘The Scriptures point to me!’ (verse 39). In heart faith, we read the word, trusting, knowing and believing wholeheartedly in the truth, who is Christ Jesus. He says these things so that we may be saved (verse 34).
Believe in your hearts. Believe in him who has taken away the sin of the world. Believe in his promises. And when you find yourself ‘losing heart’, fill your heart with his truth and be saved.
Dear Lord Jesus, help us to have heart faith: a faith that doesn’t waver when we feel overwhelmed or discouraged. Lead us to seek you in all things so that we can be strengthened to encourage others and witness to the hope we have found in you. Amen.
Tatiana is a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Adelaide, where she enjoys singing on the music roster. She is married and has two adult children and six grandchildren. Now retired from full-time secondary education, she pursues her creative interests in fibre arts, taking inspiration from God’s hand evident in the beauty of creation.
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