Devotion - Thursday, February 16

"How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly."

I hear this comment, in slightly differing forms, in practically every pastoral conversation. "If only I knew for sure," is another popular version. Or the ever popular, "I just wish God would prove His existence." We want to know, plainly.

The opening comment is from John 10. The religious leaders of Jesus' day (who were never in favor of Jesus) are arguing among themselves. They can't decide what to make of this fellow, Jesus. And they are trying every way they can to hold on to the way things have always been. The conversation arose after Jesus restores sight to a man born blind. "Is he of God?" "Does he have a demon?" They come to him, asking for him to tell them "plainly."

Jesus' response is this, "I told you, and you do not believe."

We all know that "words are cheap." Jesus backs up his words by showing the presence of God - in doing things like healing the man born blind. And yet, they would not receive his reply, or hear his answer.

Please do not hear these words as some sort of a scolding for asking questions about God's existence or a condemnation for wanting plain answers to the essential questions. I am saying anything but that. The simple and direct thought intended in these paragraphs is to expose the roadblocks we place before God and God's attempts to assure us. Jesus tells us; Jesus assures us. We find it difficult to believe.

Believing (I prefer the phrase "having faith") is like a trust fall. It is a question of whether we can let go and trust that we will be caught. It means placing our eggs in one basket, all the while knowing that it might be the wrong basket, but it is the one we choose. It is the act of trusting/believing/having faith which brings us the plain answers we seek. Yes, it is circular reasoning. But faith is its own assurance.