I Can See!
Heberws 11:1-2 - Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.
Today's trivia quiz...How can you tell if someone is a good fisherperson?
Answer: They always have a camera with them in their boat.
Hmmmm, a camera? Why a camera? Well, some fisherpersons (is that even a word???) have a tendency to stretch the truth on occasion. The only way to make sure you're hearing a truthful fishing story is to request to see pictures of the catch! If you don't see a picture...well, then who really knows? A good fisherperson will have nothing to hide and pictures of their catch to show off.
Using that logic, then, wouldn't it follow that in order to believe in Jesus we'd have to see a picture of him? I'm sure some would agree with that idea. In essence the Pharisees and other Jewish leaders were always looking for a "picture" of Jesus as God...they were always looking for a sign. "Show us some proof Jesus...show us a miracle!"
Being certain that Jesus is God is not something we human beings can do on our own. The fact that he was both God and man at the same time doesn't seem to make sense...it seems to be "stretching the truth." But thanks to God the Holy Spirit we can believe in Jesus as our Savior, we can believe that he came to take our sins away and bring us eternal life. The Holy Spirit plants the truth in our hearts and nourishes it through the Word and the Sacraments. The Holy Spirit "supplies the picture," revealing the truth of Jesus' divine essence, of God's love as it was expressed through his Son.
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT: List several ways in which you have seen Jesus in your life today. Recall some of your favorite passages that strengthen your faith in Jesus.
PRAYER SUGGESTION: Heavenly Father, thank you for creating faith in my heart. Help me to share your Word with others so they too can come to faith in Jesus. Amen.