Faith Footsteps: Eleventh Episode
Jesus often gauged people’s faith with probing questions: “Do you want to go away as well?” The backstory is His teaching on faith (John 6:60-65); some of His ‘disciples’ didn’t believe so He reminded them ‘no one comes to Him unless the Father grants it’: Only the Father imparts faith to believe. After that many disciples turned back from following Him: now, back to His probing question.
Remember, the word believe means to be absolutely certain of His Messiahship, however, many of His followers weren’t there yet. Peter declared remarkable words of faith,
“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that You are the Holy One of God. John 6:68-69
Notice that Peter, speaking for the Twelve, not only declared their faith but qualified it: it’s about knowing Him and His true identity. Experiencing Jesus is getting to know and acknowledge Him in life as we grow in faith. Many followers observed Jesus’ signs, wonders, and miracles; they experienced His healings, deliverances, and compassion as they came to know Him, it’s no different for us.
Jesus continued teaching in John 7:37-39 but switched gears as He promised the arrival of the Holy Spirit to those who believe. After Jesus was glorified on the cross the Spirit would be poured out for believers to help them live in victory. It’s hard to believe that the crucifixion showed God’s glory but prophecy was fulfilled. Isaiah 53 and Daniel 9:20-25 prophesied that the Messiah must die to pay for sin and Jesus knew that would please the Father (8:28-30), therefore, He was willing to be that One.
As you well know the death of Christ (Messiah) was not the end: He rose again! We have a foretaste of resurrection in the next story of Lazarus in John 11. It seems that Jesus desired to give 100% assurance to His followers that He is truly the Holy One of God by waiting two days before He arrived at His best friend’s house.
Then Jesus told them 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 11:14-15
This miracle was the pinnacle of Jesus’ signs and wonders and it’s purpose remains:
“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” She (Martha) said to Him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”
John 11:25-27
Everyone present was privileged to experience ‘the glory God’ in Lazarus’ resurrection (vs. 40-43, 45); it was the final proof His Messiahship and many believed in Him and continue today to walk in those footsteps of faith.
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