Reflecting on John 16:29-33“‘Do you now believe?’ Jesus replied.” (John 16:31)
The disciples say that they finally see and understand and believe.
To which Jesus says, ‘Really, do you really believe now?’
Jesus is not being critical, but He is gently challenging.
Its easy to say ‘I believe’ when things are going easy.
But what about when life gets hard, or believing gets risky.
Jesus knows that they will buckle under the pressure.
He knows this about us too, and about all believers.
Our spirit may be willing, but our flesh is weak.
We are not able to overcome the world, and are often overcome by it.
Its comforting to know that Jesus already knows that I will mess up.
Like the disciples, we can sometimes speak more boldly than we should.
We talk as if our faith is strong, or we criticize those whose faith is weak.
This kind of faith is more self-confident than it is God-confident.
It is not the strength of my faith that saves me, but the strength of His love.
My hope is because Jesus stands firm for me, not because I stand firm for Him!
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, I am weak but You are strong. I will fail You, but You will not fail me. I believe, yet help me with my unbelief!