Daily Devotions
John
A quick review of the use of the word "faith"
Text: John 14 : 1 - 11
A QUICK REVIEW OF THE USE OF THE WORD “FAITH”
The word “believe” was employed by the Apostle John again and again in the Gospel he wrote. He employed the word “believe” in more ways than one. Some spoke of faith in Jesus and yet there never was genuine faith. John highlighted the fact that faith in Jesus was not something that should be assumed as genuine or essentially strong.
Let us look at two aspects of faith that John wrote about.
1. A Faith That Needs to be Proven as Genuine
On a number of occasions, John noted that people expressed faith or belief in Jesus. However, Jesus was not impressed by their so-called declaration of faith in Him.
a) At the outset of Jesus’ ministry in Jerusalem
“Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover,
during the feast, many believed in His Name
when they saw the signs which He did.
But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because
He knew all men…”
John 2:23-24
The word “commit” in the Greek text is the same as the word “believe”. While people may have expressed belief in Him, Jesus did not believe in their mere verbal declaration of faith in Him.
b) Among the Jews who had constantly opposed Him
“As He spoke these words, many believed in Him.”
John 8:30
On the surface, it would appear that there was faith. However, as Jesus spoke to “those Jews who believed Him” (John 8:31), it became obvious that they did not have genuine faith in Him after all.
The conversation ended with the Jews being identified by Jesus as people who never had faith in Him. Worse, Jesus spoke of them as belonging to the Devil.
“You are of your father the devil,
and the desires of your father you want to do…”“…you are not of God…”
“Then they took up stones to throw at Him…”
John 8:44, 47, 59
c) Among the Disciples
After Jesus fed the 5000, He gave a discourse on the subject of how He was the Bread that came from Heaven. Many did not understand what He meant.
The end result was quite disastrous. John recorded the fact that many “disciples” left Jesus.
“From that time many of His disciples went back
and walked with Him no more.”
John 6:66
Peter led a smaller group of Disciples to make this declaration.
“Lord, to whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life.
Also we have come to believe and know that You
are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”
John 6:68-69
Those were fine words of a great declaration of faith and loyalty. Yet Jesus said,
“Did I not choose you, the twelve,
and one of you is a devil?”
John 6:70
2. A Faith That Needs to be Deepened
Jesus had brought up the subject of His death that was imminent. He knew how His disciples felt, although they did not fully comprehend all that He said. Jesus urged them to exercise even greater faith in Him.
“Let not your heart be troubled;
you believe in God, believe also in Me.”
John 14:1
The eleven who had stood by Jesus most loyally had proven that their faith was genuine. They had not departed even though they did not always understand their Teacher. They had stood by Him even though others had left!
To have a genuine faith is great. However, to have a deep faith was another thing altogether! Jesus had laid the foundation for the Disciples to have a truly genuine faith in Him. Jesus made sure of two things especially:-