Now many of the Jews who had come to Mary and seen what he had done began to believe in him. John 11:45 NABRE
John tells the story of Jesus raising the brother of Mary, Lazarus from the dead. Many had come to be with Mary and Martha at the passing of Lazarus and when Jesus arrives several days after Lazarus’ death, He is met by all those grieving with the two sisters. As Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead many see what is happening and they come to believe He is indeed sent by God, anointed and will bring freedom to those who know Him. This is a problem for the religious leaders who fear losing their control of the people and they advance their plans to have Jesus executed. They convince themselves having Jesus destroyed is better then the people perishing at the hands of their oppressors because Jesus has created an uprising. Those present at the raising of Lazarus believe because they have seen the miracles Jesus performs, including raising the dead, we are called to believe through faith.
Today followers of Jesus live as if everything He promises is real, more fact then faith. If this is done out of an overabundance of faith, all well and good, but there seems to be a movement that says what is written in the bible is completely true, everything about Jesus is totally for sure, all we have to do is say we believe and we are guaranteed freedom and life eternally, no matter how else we behave. This is not faith. Faith leaves room for doubt, though we may have confidence in what we believe. Followers today treat faith almost the opposite of what is expected of faith, it is not a sure thing, though there is room for trust and action accordingly. We haven’t seen Jesus’ miracles and we trust Him anyway.
How do you feel about faith? Do you expect freedom and salvation?
Followers today treat faith almost the opposite of what is expected of faith, it is not a sure thing, though there is room for trust and action accordingly. We haven't seen Jesus' miracles and we trust Him anyway. Click To Tweet#bible #godisgreat #jesus #christianity #dailybibleverse @youversion #BeAnEncourager #believe #faith #John #everybodyalways #god #jesuschrist #jesussaves #godisgood #dailydevotion #biblestudy #scripture #bibleverse #verseoftheday #cross #last #gospels #loveeachother #godisgreat #thisVineyard #youversion #everythingalways