Faith |
but
if I do them, though you do not believe Me, |
John
10:38 is
a Bible verse where Jesus
is reaching out to the Jews who did not believe Him and even accused
him of
blasphemy, but yet Jesus implored them to at least believe His
works.
Jesus
had extreme composure under pressure. He could look past all the
hurtful
insults and accusations and see the weaknesses of those who spewed them.
Many
times, our initial reaction to a false accusation is to lash back in
anger. How
dare someone accuse us of something we didn’t do! Our very reputation,
which we
hold dear, is at stake.
In
His response to those who dishonored Him and accused Him of blasphemy,
His mercy
reached
past
the assault on His Name and honor and appealed
to their
heart with
this request from John 10:38, “…though you do not believe Me, believe
the
works, so that you may know and
understand that the Father is in
Me, and I in the Father.”
He
took Himself out of their argument and asked them to focus not on Him,
but on
the works
that He did. He was casting out demons, healing the sick and
restoring
sight to the blind.
Why
did Jesus ask them to focus on His works,
instead of on Him? He said in John 10:30, “…so
that you may [f]know
and understand that the Father is in Me, and I in the Father.”
There
is a notation on the word “know,” which references
the following: know and continue knowing. If you look up the word
“know” in the
dictionary, you’ll see this definition: to be sure or aware, to have
knowledge.
Jesus
wanted so much for them to see the Father
in His works, not to draw attention to Himself, but so they would be
sure, or aware
of the Presence
of the Father.
If
they had knowledge of Whose Presence they were
in, they would certainly be drawn to Him in humble adoration, and their
hardened hearts would be healed. What a joy that would be, and oh how
it
would mend
the Father’s aching heart for His children who live in the darkness
of unbelief.
Maybe
you can’t put your finger on it. Maybe you can’t see
Jesus in this
messed-up and chaotic world. But look closely. You can
see His works:
--in
the eyes of the child who wishes his daddy
was just like you because you pay attention to him.
--in
the unselfish act of a soldier sacrificing
his life to save workers in a building under attack.
--in
the faithful touch of your spouse
who loves
you even when you’re unlovable.
--in
the excitement of the loyal pet who greets
you at the door every single day.
--in
the friend who’s got your back when you’re
having a rough day.
“but
if I do them, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, so that
you may
know and understand that the Father is in Me,
and I in the Father.” John 10:38
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