Christian Art | Easter To Pentecost
John 16: 29-33 | King James Audio Bible
29 His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb.
30 Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.
31 Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe?
32 Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
The disciples enthusiastically acknowledge the divinity of Jesus, proved to them in these Bible verses by Jesus’ knowledge of their thoughts, which only God could know. Jesus has indeed spoken plainly to the disciples. Now it may be with some reproachfulness that he asks them: ‘Do ye now believe?’ They have spent such time with Jesus, have witnessed signs and miracles, and now they accept his teachings and express their faith in him.
Jesus in these verses additionally points to the fragility of the disciples’ faith in him. For the moment, they are enthusiastic in their declaration of faith, but very soon they will abandon Jesus, when he is given over into the hands of his enemies. Our faith must be firmer than this, as we confront life’s difficulties and may at times struggle to see God at work in the world and in society. Our faith must be strong as we communicate God’s love to other people, through simple acts of kindness as well as through sharing, explicitly, our Christianity. Our faith must be strong when we suffer, and when our offerings to others are rebuffed.
Christ’s words are an example to us of how we should be when the world seems to flee from us, leaving us feeling alone. Christ will, in truth, not be alone, even when he is at his most physically abject through the course of his Passion. He knows that the Father is with him. This is both perfect knowledge and perfect faith. In a similar way, when we find we are struggling, God is with us.
Christ’s words, then, are for our time. We do indeed face tribulations. The world, contemporary society, does not in so many ways tend toward faith, and there is much that is actively opposed to faith. There are times when we may look at our society and find our love and faith and hope draining from us, confronted, as we may feel ourselves to be, by a spiritual desert. But we must blink and look again. The world, though often hostile, is seeded with love and faith and hope, sometimes most obviously, at other times when we take just a little care to scratch the surface of our impressions of other people, and so to discover the good that shines within. Christ has overcome the world.
‘As light strikes the eyes of a man who comes out of darkness into the sunshine and enables him to see clearly things he could not discern before, so light floods the soul of the man counted worthy of receiving the Holy Spirit and enables him to see things beyond the range of human vision, things hitherto undreamed of.’ St Cyril of Jerusalem
King James Audio Bible Endnotes
‘Do Ye Now Believe?’ | A Call To Deeper Christian Faith
Theologian William Barclay suggests that Jesus’ question to the disciples, ‘Do ye now believe?’ is not a rebuke, but rather an invitation to deepen their faith. Barclay writes, ‘It was not that Jesus thought that their faith was insufficient; it was that he knew that their faith had not yet been really tested. He knew that before the night was over, they would see him taken prisoner, tried, condemned, and crucified, and that then their faith would be really tested.’ (Barclay, William. The Gospel of John. Volume 2. Westminster John Knox Press, 2001)
Similarly, in his book The Cost of Discipleship, Dietrich Bonhoeffer reflects on the significance of the disciples’ scattering and the tribulations they faced. He writes, ‘The disciples had to learn the hard way that faith is only real when there is nothing left to hold onto but God alone. They had to lose their faith in order to find it again in its true form.’ (Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. The Cost of Discipleship. Touchstone, 1995)
Theologian and author Timothy Keller also explores the idea of faith in the face of trials and tribulations in his book, Walking with God Through Pain and Suffering. Keller writes, ‘Faith in God does not prevent hardships but rather enables us to face them with confidence and hope.’ (Keller, Timothy. Walking with God Through Pain and Suffering. Penguin Books, 2015)
A Call To Deeper Faith
As we approach Pentecost, the question ‘Do ye now believe?’ remains a call to examine our own faith and to deepen our relationship with God. It also reminds us that belief in Jesus is not an intellectual acknowledgment of his divinity but a commitment to follow his teachings and to bear witness to his love and grace.
In his book Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis writes about ‘believing in’ God. He writes, ‘Believing in God is not the same as believing things about God. It is possible to believe that God exists and to believe nothing else about Him.’ (Lewis, C.S. Mere Christianity. HarperCollins, 2001)
Therefore, the question of whether we truly believe in Jesus is not about acknowledging his existence or even recognizing his divine nature. It is about trusting in him as our Lord and Savior, and living our lives in accordance with his teachings.
In the words of the Apostle Paul, ‘I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.’ (Galatians 2:20, KJV)
Faith Through Doubt And Fear
Jesus’ question ‘Do ye now believe?’ challenges Christians to confront our doubts and uncertainties. Even the disciples who had witnessed Jesus’ miracles and teachings faced moments of doubt and fear. In the Gospel of Mark, after Jesus’ resurrection, Jesus appears to the disciples and rebukes them for their unbelief and hardness of heart (Mark 16:14).
The Christian faith is not one that denies or suppresses doubts and questions but rather one that embraces our uncertainty and seeks answers through prayer, scripture, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Theologian Frederick Buechner writes, ‘Doubts are the ants in the pants of faith. They keep it alive and moving.’
In his book The Case for Christ, journalist Lee Strobel documents his journey from atheism to Christianity through investigating the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus. Strobel’s journey shows that faith is not just blind belief but a rational and informed decision based on the evidence.
Similarly, in his book The Reason for God, Tim Keller argues that faith and reason are not opposed but rather complement each other. He writes, ‘Faith without some doubts is like a human body without any antibodies in it. People who blithely go through life too busy or indifferent to ask hard questions about why they believe as they do will find themselves defenseless against either the experience of tragedy or the probing questions of a smart skeptic.’ (Keller, Tim. The Reason for God. Penguin Books, 2009)
In these Bible verses, Matthew recounts the betrayal by Judas in a slightly different way from yesterday’s reading from the Gospel of John. Firstly, we see Judas go to the chief priests to see what they will give him to betray his Lord. This is calculating treachery, the love of money putting such evil into Judas’ heart as will outweigh all love and all obligation. Through Judas, we see the absolute evil to which greed and the love of money can drive a person [ … ]
Christian Art | Life Of Jesus In The Gospels | King James Audio Bible KJV The Gospel Of Saint John 14: 1-7 | King James Audio Bible YouTube: Connection With The Life Of Jesus In The Gospels | King James Audio Bible The Gospels are not just a collection of stories or teachings, but a window into the life of Jesus. By reading and reflecting on the Gospels, we gain a deeper understanding of who Jesus was and what he came to do. As we read the Gospels, we see that Jesus was a man of great compassion and love. Jesus showed mercy to the outcasts and the marginalized, and he offered healing and hope to those who were in need. He also taught with authority, challenging the religious leaders of his day and offering a new way of living based on love and service. But the Gospels are not just a history lesson. They are also an invitation for us to enter into a relationship with Jesus. By reading and meditating on the Gospels, we can come to know Jesus more personally and deeply. We can learn from his example and seek to follow in his footsteps. So we may be encouraged to read the Gospels, perhaps starting with the Gospel of Mark or the Gospel of John, as we read paying attention to how Jesus interacted with others and how he responded to different situations. We may ask ourselves what you can learn from his words and actions, and how we can apply them to our own lives. And as we read, we can allow ourselves to be drawn into a closer relationship with Jesus. There truly is an historical Jesus. May the Gospels be a source of guidance, inspiration, and transformation for us all. How Much In The Gospels Is Historical, And How Much Is Myth, Legend, Trope, Figurative Thinking? It is difficult to say with certainty how much of the Gospels is historical in the modern sense of the word and how much is myth, legend, trope, or figurative thinking. The Gospels were written some years after the events they describe, and they were written from the perspective of the early Christian community. This means that the Gospels may contain a mix of historical facts and interpretation, as well as elements of myth, legend, and figurative thinking. That being said, scholars believe that the Gospels contain a good deal of historical information. For example, the Gospels describe specific places and events, such as the places where Jesus preached and the events of his trial and Crucifixion. These details suggest that the writers of the Gospels had access to historical information and intended to provide an accurate account of what happened. On the other hand, the Gospels also contain elements that are not seen by all as historical, howsoever this goes to the root of the faith, such as the miracles performed by Jesus and the accounts of his resurrection. Some see these as legends or myths that were added to the Gospels to help convey the message of the early Christian community. The question of how much of the Gospels is historical and how much is myth, legend, or figurative thinking is complex. What is important is that we approach the Gospels with an open mind and a willingness to engage with the stories and teachings they contain. We are in the Gospels in conversation with God – and with the many people who have had such faith and conversations – as with the historical Jesus. Why Do The Gospels Say Were People Afraid Of Jesus? There are several reasons why people may have been afraid of Jesus, according to the Gospels. One reason is that Jesus was a powerful and charismatic figure who challenged the religious and political authorities of his time. He spoke out against corruption and injustice, and he called on people to repent and turn to God. This type of behaviour was seen as threatening by those in positions of power, and they may have been afraid of losing their influence or authority. Another reason is that Jesus performed many miracles, such as healing the sick and casting out demons. These miracles were seen as evidence of his divine power, and they may have made people afraid of him. Some people may have been afraid of being healed or possessed by Jesus, while others may have been afraid of what would happen if they did not believe in him. Finally, some people may have been afraid of Jesus because of the prophecies and expectations of the coming of a messiah. The Jews of Jesus’ time were looking for a saviour who would deliver them from oppression and establish a kingdom of God on earth. When Jesus arrived on the scene, he may have been seen as a threat to the status quo, and some people may have been afraid of what he might do. Might The Fear Be Related To The Fear Of God – The Injunction To Fear God? Yes, it is possible that the fear of Jesus mentioned in the Gospels may be related to the fear of God. In the Old Testament, the fear of God is often used to describe a deep reverence and awe for God, as well as a sense of humility and obedience in the face of his greatness. This fear of God is seen as a positive and necessary quality for a faithful believer, and it is often linked to the idea of fearing God’s punishment or judgement. In the New Testament, the fear of God is also mentioned, but it is often portrayed in a more positive light. For example, in the Gospel of Luke, Jesus tells his followers not to be afraid of those who can only kill the body, but to fear God, who can destroy both body and soul (Luke 12:4-5). This suggests that the fear of God is not just about punishment, but about a deep respect for […]
Psalm 21, a sequel to Psalm 20, continues the theme of divine intervention and protection. It is a heartfelt expression of gratitude and rejoicing, acknowledging relationship between the king, King David, and the Almighty [ … ]
