After this, Jesus traveled around Galilee. He wanted to stay out of Judea, where the Jewish leaders were plotting his death. But soon it was time for the Jewish Festival of Shelters, and Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea, where your followers can see your miracles! You can’t become famous if you hide like this! If you can do such wonderful things, show yourself to the world!” For even his brothers didn’t believe in him. [John 7.1-5]
It seems at first like Jesus' brothers did believe in Him if they wanted Him to show His miracles to the world. But John viewed this just the opposite.
Could it be that believing in Jesus is not about seeing and reaping the benefit of His miracles? Jesus would later tell Thomas that those who had not seen and yet still believed would be blessed.
So, what does believing in Jesus really mean?
Perhaps believing in Jesus is more about what He takes than what He gives. Could it not be argued that it is not enough to be given eternal life - but that eternal death must first be taken away in order to reap the benefit of eternal life? (I am making no claims here, just throwing out some thoughts)
Or perhaps it could be said that the gift of eternal life is not found so much in what is given, but what is taken. Otherwise, how could we look upon the Cross of Christ and be saved? As far as we are concerned, it was Jesus' 'taking' on the Cross that saved us - He took the punishment that belonged to us. So, physically speaking, Jesus gave to us nothing on the Cross - but spiritually speaking, He gave us everything. Our gift was not what we received, but what we did not receive (because Jesus received it)!
So, perhaps John was tuned to this fact. Believing is not about receiving (miracles). Believing is about having our sin taken away. John recognized that receiving is not believing. It wasn't then - it isn't now.
Father, I know I get a little silly with word play at times, but I feel like You have spoken to my heart today - thank You.
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