SEARCHLIGHT
What makes you believe in Jesus Christ?
SCRIPTURE
Then Jesus told him, [Thomas] “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.” The disciples saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in this book. But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in Him you will have life by the power of His name. John 20:29-31 NLT
SPOTLIGHT
The story is told that Ernest Hemingway once made a bet with someone. He claimed that he could write the world’s shortest, saddest story. The author promised that it would only be 6 words long and that it would also be a tearjerker. Here is what the famous novelist wrote:
“For Sale: Baby shoes, never worn.”
Imagine the heartbreak, pain, and sorrow of the parents who wanted to love their baby. Don’t forget the grandparents, who longed to see their family span time by creating another generation.
There is another short story that is marked by pain, sorrow, injustice, error, sacrifice, truth, eternal promises, and much, much, hope. It is the most important world changing short story ever written. And it too is only 6 words long. I am not sure who first wrote the shortest story that has forever impacted the course of history. But I am sure that it has had the greatest good on mankind and still continues to do so. Here is the story in 6 words:
“Jesus came, Jesus died, Jesus lives.”
Jesus Christ’s incarnation, crucifixion and resurrection have turned the world upside down. And the fact that Jesus came, died and lives, continues to impact people from every race like no other. Never has one life done so much to alter humanity.
Jesus is truly incomparable. He is both fully God and fully man. He chose to leave heaven and all its perfections to come to earth with, all its imperfections. His reason for coming was because He loves every human being, and longs for a personal relationship with them. Jesus lived a sinless life and then chose to die for the sins of every human being. His death was excruciatingly cruel, but 3 days later, He arose from the dead and left His tomb empty. Then He appeared to His followers, which numbered more than 500 people, over a course of 40 days. By so doing, Jesus proved that He is the living God, who sacrificed His life so that all humanity could experience abundant life on earth and have eternal life with Him in heaven.
In today’s Scripture focus, Thomas had doubted that Jesus Christ had defied death and arose from the grave. Then he saw Jesus and believed. Jesus then promised that people who believed after Thomas would be greatly blessed. Believing led to receiving. Are you one of these people?
Throughout the Gospel of John, the key word is “believe.” John uses that word over 80 times. As today’s Scripture states, believing that Jesus Christ came, died and lives, blesses the believer with abundant life on earth, and eternal life in heaven. What a blessing! It is invaluable!
Believing is not seeing. Seeing is not necessary for believing. You do not have to see Jesus Christ in order to believe who Jesus Christ is, and what He can do for you. Do not be fooled. You do not have to see everything before believing it exists. Every day of your life you live by faith that things will work as someone has promised they will. You do not test the wires to see if there is an electric current. Instead, you just flip the switch. You do not go to the cockpit of an airplane to see if there is a pilot with credentials who is qualified to fly the plane. Instead, you just board the airplane, take your seat, fasten your seatbelt, and enjoy the flight. You do not go to bed in a bubble filled with air because you fear you might wake up with no air to breathe. Instead, you just keep on breathing. You do not deny that you have a variety of emotions such as love, anger, fear, or sadness. Instead, you learn to be led by what is right and avoid the sensations that will lead you to error and pain. You do not test for microorganisms such as bacteria. Instead, you avoid eating certain foods exposed to heat because you might become ill. And neither do you have to see Jesus Christ in order to believe who Jesus Christ is, and what He can do for you.
The 6-word Jesus story has changed people since He came to earth, died on a cross for everyone’s sins, and then arose from the dead to prove He is God. And this, THE SHORTEST BEST STORY, will continue to do so. Since Jesus Christ walked on earth, millions of people have become believers with their eyes of faith. Millions more will become believers in the future. Never, ever will there be such a powerful story written. Never, ever will another story be necessary.
SOMETHING TO DO
Placing your faith in something does not have to mean you see it first. Observation and evidence are not necessary for something to be true or understood. Will you believe THE SHORTEST BEST STORY? Will you place your faith in Jesus Christ? Will you experience life’s greatest privilege of personally knowing the living God, who loves you and values you to the point of dying for you?
If you are a believer, will you always be sure that your life exemplifies the life changing power of THE SHORTEST BEST STORY?
SOUL TIME PRAYER
Lord Jesus Christ, I believe you are the living God, who left heaven and came to earth, for the purpose of saving people from their sin. I believe You died a sacrificial death and arose from the dead 3 days later, proving You are God. Thank you for dying for me. Thank you for giving Your life so that I may have abundant life here on earth, and eternal life with You someday in heaven. Make my life a testimony to who You are and what You have done for anyone who chooses to believe in You! AMEN