Faith Is An Action, Not An Observation

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]

Doesn't it seem like if Jesus' brothers were encouraging Him to go do miracles in Judea then they believed in Him?

There is something important lying in the midst of this passage! Let's look at what Jesus' reply was to His brothers:

Jesus replied, “Now is not the right time for me to go, but you can go anytime. [John 7.6]

Why do you suppose Jesus told His brothers, "you can go"?

I am going to make a statement here that says what we should learn from this:

Faith is not seeing Jesus do miracles. Faith is doing miracles.

If Jesus' brothers wanted miracles to be seen, then they should have gone ahead and done them! Think about all the times Jesus scolded His followers for not "having faith" or doing miracles when needed. Jesus reprimanded His disciples for not rebuking the storm. Jesus told His disciples to feed the thousands. Jesus made it clear that faith is an action, not an observation!

For us today to desire to see Jesus do miracles in our midst is pure unbelief (didn't see that coming, huh?).

Everything Jesus the Teacher said and taught was for the purpose of making disciples who would do as they were mentored. Everything Jesus did was an example to those who would follow Him so they might know what to do AND DO IT!

Believing in Jesus is doing what Jesus did. Again, faith is an action, not an observation.

When we see a sick person, whose job is it to heal them?

The answer to the question above depends entirely upon whether we know God does miracles or that we do miracles as His ambassadors! Jesus brother's knew He did miracles, but Jesus' brothers were described as unbelievers. 

Jesus told His brothers, "you can go..." The fact that Jesus' brothers had not already gone was evidence of their unbelief. I repeat: faith is an action, not an observation.

Father, forgive me for not acting like a believer. Forgive me for NOT doing the works Jesus not only demonstrated, but commanded me to do. Help me to see that faith is an action, not an observation.