John 20:19-31
Believing in Jesus was the central message for me today from John 20:19-31. When Jesus appears and shows himself to eleven of the disciples shortly after his resurrection, they believe. And Thomas also believes when Jesus appears a second time several days later. Then we hit these key verses "Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name" (vs. 30-31).
So what is it that led you to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God? And how do you, or have you, held firm to that belief? Tami W.
For me Jesus is the fullfillment of Isiah's prophecy. ... he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him...he was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death.... After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life. Jesus gives me hope for eternity and I daily cling to this blessed hope for it is the only reason for life worth living for.
The Holy Spirit revealed it to me, that Jesus was and is the son of God. The transformation of my life upon my believing in him was and is the most powerful testimony that I have that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life! Hallelujah! He Lives.
When I was spiritually blind, I had times when I said, "God, if you exist, then just show me a sign." Once my spiritual blindness was healed, my physical eyes began to see that God has left signs of His existence EVERYWHERE! It's like the main thoroughfare into your town on election day X 10.
What sticks out to me in this passage is Jesus' words "Peace be with you". It's repeated three times in this passage. It is spoken before he breathes the Holy Spirit upon the disciples. It harkens me back to John 14 when, before his crucifixion, Jesus tells his disciples of things to come. What then sticks out in that passage is v.29 "Now I have told you before it happens, so that when it happens, you may believe." The disciples received the Holy Spirit and their spiritual eyes were opened. The rest is history.
My spiritual blindness was not healed by God performing a personal miracle for me, although many have happened since and I am becoming more and more aware of many that occurred beforehand. Faith comes by hearing (Romans 10:17). Jesus' words to the disciples in John 14:29 hold true for us today in the context that when we read His Word he is "telling us before it happens, so that when it happens, we may believe."
It's the presence of God's spirit within me that gives me the assurance that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and that the Bible is truly the Living Word and that all that we do in this life should be filtered through it's pages. I hold firm to that belief by staying in the Word and by deepening my relationship with Christ in prayer.
For me I had been a believer for awhile but one week while in missionary school, I really questioned God's love. So much in my life was out of control and I just felt like I could love others more than God and couldn't feel God's love in my own life. God comforted me in that time and showed me little by little, and Him proving his love to me did not happen immediately. When I look back though, I realize in an extravagant way God has shown me that he can love people incredibly more than I can and that his love for me is as if I am the only one! God showed up and continues to show up to make clear that He is love and I want it in my life.
when I was living in total darkness(circa january 1981), my neighbor came to my apartment with a bible in her hand and suggested that I "check it out." that simple act of obedience changed my life and now my grandchildren are third generation born again christians. Jesus became very real to me and I never looked back. I thank my God that he opened my mind and heart as I studied that pocket bible. He is my everything...crucified for me...married to me....bone of my bone, flesh of my flesh. my Adonai, my love.
I came to believe in Jesus as Savior primarily on the words of those I trusted. Adults were in my life who gave me a credible reason to believe. Then the Spirit of God confirmed that in my life and continues to confirm it today. My belief in Jesus Christ is so stronger today than it was when I first believed. Praise the Lord for His marvelous work!
Sometimes it feels like I am sort of a rare breed, but I was raised in a Christian home. I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior at a VBS at the age of 8. Over the years I've had to work out my salvation as the scripture says. I've had many ups and downs. I always go back to what Jesus has done for me in my life. I also think about creation. Only God could have created this beautiful earth and our bodies with all their intricate systems. Most recently I have noted things coming true concerning prophecy- about Jesus time on earth and about His second coming.
For me it is the fruits of the spirit that are ever present in my life. The life changes that occurred for me are proof that Jesus is my savior. Or as some would say being born again.