Faith Footsteps: Fourteenth Episode
Convincing His disciples that’s He’s the promised Messiah hasn’t been an easy task but He completed that assignment. I have to chuckle as I read their reaction to His word pictures. He says ‘in a little while’ several times in John 16 so they’ll realize He’s leaving soon but returning again. They’re like, “What?! What’s He talking about?! We don’t get it!” So Jesus switched gears.
He chose the drama of a woman giving birth; she experiences extreme pain but the end result is so worth it. Well, that’s a little clearer but what does childbirth have to do with faith footsteps?
Jesus’ words show how essential it was for these first disciples to have faith and truly believe He was sent from His Father; they’ll need that assurance for their future assignment. Jesus wasn’t just a good teacher, a compassionate man, and a miracle worker but He was the Anointed One promised in the Scriptures (Luke 24:25-27). John records that phrase about 20 times, I am sent by the Father; He was emphasizing that truth.
“I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.” His disciples said, “Ah, now You are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech! Now we know that You know all things and do not need anyone to question You; this is why we believe that You came from God.” John 16:28-30 ESV
I think that same scenario can happen to us. Situations look hopeless, relationships fall apart, money is tight, you name it, our faith weakens and we don’t understand either. Jesus reminds us as well, even though things aren’t going as you planned, you may be in physical or emotional pain, and you’re confused, He wants you to understand that He knows everything and you can trust Him. You pray, you wait, and your faith endures. His last words from this message of encouragement were,
“Take heart, I have overcome the world.”
If He’s an overcomer then you’re an overcomer since you have a divine union with Him.
Jesus went into a time of prayer after this last message and I’m so thankful John recorded it (chapter 17). The Father gave Him followers to hear His words and now they believe in Him. The faith footsteps of these men led them to the cross but also to the empty tomb. Now the mission is clear:
Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. Mark 16:15-16 ESV
John closed his record with these words:
… these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name. John 20:31 ESV
We experience a new life of faith and a fresh desire to tell others.
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