Daily Devotions
John
Belief in Christ Jesus
Text: John 1:1-18
BELIEF IN CHRIST JESUS
One of the things that John noticed as he followed Jesus was the great difficulty many experienced when it came to genuine faith in Jesus. The word “belief” was used over 80 times by John in his Gospel. This word was used in different ways, but the main reason why John used this word so many times was to highlight the fact that many found it so hard to find true faith in Jesus.
We can understand why people struggled with having faith in Jesus. Consider what John believed concerning Him. Jesus was presented as the Word of God, the Co-Creator, the One who co-existed with God from the beginning of time, the One who gives Life and Light to all who come into the world! Were people supposed to believe all that before they can say that they have genuine faith in Jesus? The answer is “YES”!
Is it not enough to just believe in Jesus as Saviour? Is it not enough to think of Him as a great Teacher or Prophet? John was convinced that the answer is “NO”! It is either total belief in Jesus or not at all. It may be a struggle to find full faith in Jesus, but it is certainly worth every effort on our part to finally find total faith in Jesus.
SO MANY REJECT JESUS!
John found true faith in Jesus. As he walked with Jesus, his faith deepened immensely. However, he realized that many rejected Jesus. He noted this sad reality.
“He was in the world,
and the world was made through Him,
and the world did not know Him.He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.
But as many as received Him, to them He gave
The right to become children of God,
To those who believe in His Name.”
John 1:10-12
What poignant truth John wrote. What pain and joy John must have felt as he wrote those words. There must have been pain and sorrow on the part of Jesus as He stepped into the world of man. He who was Co-Creator walked among the people who owed their life and existence to Him. But the world did not recognize Him at all. We are reminded of the words of Isaiah, where the Lord expressed His sorrow concerning the fact that Israel did not know Him.
“Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth!
For the Lord has spoken:
I have nourished and brought up children,
And they have rebelled against Me:
The ox knows its owner
And the donkey its master’s crib;
But Israel does not know,
My people do not consider.”
Isaiah 1:2-3
Jesus came to His own people, but they did not receive Him as they should. They doubted Him. They found fault with Him. Finally they rejected Him. What pain and sorrow Jesus must have felt!
BUT THERE WERE SOME WHO FOUND FAITH
Not everybody rejected Jesus. There were some whose hearts warmed up to Jesus as they heard Him proclaim God’s Word. Slowly but surely they recognized Jesus for who He really was. They embraced Him in faith and reverence.
What was their blessing as they found faith in Jesus? John wrote unabashedly these words,
“But as many as received Him,
to them He gave the right to become
children of God,
to those who believe in His Name:
who were born, not of blood,
nor of the will of the flesh,
nor of the will of man, but of God.”
John 1:12-13
Those who succeeded in finding faith in Jesus found that their struggles were not in vain. They found that Jesus was all that John proclaimed Him to be. Jesus was able to grant them the “right” or literally, “the authority” to become the children of God. Who can give such “authority”? Surely only One who was in the position to give that authority. Surely the Person who is able to give that authority must be One who was no less than God Himself!
THE IDEA OF A SECOND BIRTH
John introduced the idea of a second birth in this passage. The first birth is easily comprehended. Natural birth is of “the will of the flesh,” and “the will of man”. Natural birth is ordinary “flesh and blood”.
The second birth was quite different. It would require the exercise of the will of God, no less! To those who came to Jesus in faith, believing Him with all their heart that He was indeed Saviour and more, He created something new in their lives. They were “born again” by a special act.
ARE WE ALSO STRUGGLING WITH HAVING FULL FAITH IN JESUS?
Many had seen Jesus with their eyes. They had seen Him perform many mighty miracles. Nevertheless they had difficulty in believing in Him. We must expect that we would also experience some difficulty in exercising faith. However, let us be challenged and be encouraged to find full faith. This not impossible! It is worth every effort put in!