Beyond the Seeing Eye: The Power of Unseen Belief
"Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”" (John 20:29)
These powerful words, spoken to a doubting Thomas, resonate deeply with us today. We live in a world that often demands tangible proof, a visual confirmation before accepting truth. Yet, Jesus points to a higher blessing, a profound faith that transcends the need for physical sight.
The truth is, it is not necessary to "see" Jesus Christ in the flesh to believe in Him. The Apostle John, an eyewitness to countless miracles, understood this implicitly. He himself wrote, "And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book;" (John 20:30).
This begs the question: What is the purpose of a sign?
Think about it. A road sign doesn't become your destination. It points you towards it. When you're standing at the sign, you haven't arrived; you're simply oriented in the right direction.
Jesus performed numerous miracles during His earthly ministry. Each one wasn't just a random act of power; it was a sign, deliberately crafted to point to His true identity. He Himself declared in John 10:37-38, “If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.”
Jesus was challenging the skepticism of the Jewish leaders. Even if they couldn't accept His words, they should have at least acknowledged the undeniable power displayed in His miracles – the "works" that served as irrefutable "signs" of His divine nature.
John, fully aware that a complete record of Jesus' actions was impossible – "And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written" (John 21:25) – carefully selected seven specific miracles for his Gospel. Interestingly, these seven signs beautifully align with the seven powerful "I AM" statements of Jesus, each illuminating a different facet of His divine identity:
If you were to ask people around the world, "Who is Jesus?", you'd receive a kaleidoscope of answers – a good teacher, a prophet, an inspiring figure. Even Jesus Himself posed this crucial question to His followers: "But who do you say that I am?" This is a question each of us must grapple with personally.
Who is Jesus Christ?
"Christ" isn't merely a last name; it's a title – THE CHRIST, the promised Messiah. The Holy Spirit declared His divinity in the very first chapter of John's Gospel, and the early disciples echoed this truth. In John 1:41, Andrew proclaimed, "'We have found the Messiah' (which translated means Christ)." Jesus is THE Messiah, the one sent by God. John the Baptist affirmed this early on, identifying Him as the Lamb of God, the Messiah, the Savior. His miracles serve as undeniable proof of His divine nature. The evidence is overwhelming, but ultimately, what do you believe?
There exists a kind of belief that falls short of salvation. We see this in John chapter 2: "many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did. But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man" (John 2:23-25). Thousands were drawn to Jesus by His miracles, even calling themselves disciples during the feeding of the five thousand. Yet, when the miraculous meals ceased and Jesus began to speak of sin and heavenly realities, many turned away. Even Judas "believed" in Jesus in his own way. These were superficial beliefs, rooted in what they could gain or see in the moment.
What is the crucial difference between a superficial belief in Jesus and BELIEVING IN JESUS?
First and foremost, believing in Jesus means accepting Him for who He says He is – the Son of God, the Messiah, the Savior. It means acknowledging the absolute truth of His statement: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6). This statement unequivocally eliminates any other proposed path to Heaven.
Good works, regular church attendance, and tithing, while potentially important expressions of faith, cannot earn you a place in Heaven. The only way to Heaven is by BELIEVING in the name of Jesus as your personal Savior, trusting that His blood has washed away all your sins. It is His sacrifice that unlocks the door to eternal life for those who accept Him and seals it shut for those who reject Him.
If you truly believe this, a vital step follows: self-examination. You must recognize your own sinfulness and your desperate need for a Savior. You must confess your sins and sincerely ask Jesus to save you.
Is that enough? If you are the dying sinner on the cross, with no time left to actively live out your faith, then yes, that moment of genuine belief is your salvation.
But, if you have been granted more time, more days to walk this earth, it is not enough to simply believe in that initial moment. Jesus tells us, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed" (John 8:31).
What does it mean to "abide"? It's a verb, an action. Abiding in Christ isn't a fleeting feeling or a passive belief; it's something we actively do.
What do you do?
Jesus, in John 20:21, declared, "As the Father has sent Me, I also send you." Consider the Father's mission for Jesus: to seek and save lost sinners and bring them salvation.
This same commission now rests upon the church, upon each and every believer. We are called to go out and spread the good news about Jesus.
Imagine the explosive growth of our churches if every single one of God's people embraced this simple command! Picture the unstoppable strength and joy within our congregations if every member was actively pouring into the lives of other believers!
THIS is the very core of what the church must be! Look at our bulletin: North Canton Baptist Church – it says Edifying God, Evangelizing His Word, Encouraging People. Simply building His kingdom.
This isn't just a suggestion; it's the FIGHTING CALL for every single one of you! That's why you hear the relentless call to work for the Kingdom. God hasn't left anyone empty-handed! You possess a DIVINE GIFT, a WEAPON to build His church!
Whether it's preaching, singing, teaching, designing, cleaning, encouraging, running sound, or greeting – NONE of these are optional extras! They are your assigned duties! Every Christian is commanded to make disciples, and the only way that happens is if every single Christian unleashes their God-given gift!
So, beyond the signs we read about, beyond the physical sight some were granted, let us embrace the blessedness of unseen belief. And let that belief not be passive, but an active outpouring of the gifts God has entrusted to us, for the building of His Kingdom.
These powerful words, spoken to a doubting Thomas, resonate deeply with us today. We live in a world that often demands tangible proof, a visual confirmation before accepting truth. Yet, Jesus points to a higher blessing, a profound faith that transcends the need for physical sight.
The truth is, it is not necessary to "see" Jesus Christ in the flesh to believe in Him. The Apostle John, an eyewitness to countless miracles, understood this implicitly. He himself wrote, "And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book;" (John 20:30).
This begs the question: What is the purpose of a sign?
Think about it. A road sign doesn't become your destination. It points you towards it. When you're standing at the sign, you haven't arrived; you're simply oriented in the right direction.
Jesus performed numerous miracles during His earthly ministry. Each one wasn't just a random act of power; it was a sign, deliberately crafted to point to His true identity. He Himself declared in John 10:37-38, “If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.”
Jesus was challenging the skepticism of the Jewish leaders. Even if they couldn't accept His words, they should have at least acknowledged the undeniable power displayed in His miracles – the "works" that served as irrefutable "signs" of His divine nature.
John, fully aware that a complete record of Jesus' actions was impossible – "And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written" (John 21:25) – carefully selected seven specific miracles for his Gospel. Interestingly, these seven signs beautifully align with the seven powerful "I AM" statements of Jesus, each illuminating a different facet of His divine identity:
- Water to Wine & "I am the true vine": Just as the vine gives life to the grapes that produce wine, Jesus offers us a new, spiritual life, a connection to the source of all true vitality.
- Healing the Nobleman's Son & "I am the way, the truth, and the life": Jesus' word transcended distance, healing the boy even from afar. This demonstrates His power over life and death and establishes Him as the singular path to God and true life.
- Healing the Paralytic & "I am the gate for the sheep": The paralyzed man was incapable of healing himself, but Jesus offered him a fresh start. Jesus is the "gate" through which we enter into a safe and abundant life with God, a life of belonging and purpose.
- Feeding the Five Thousand & "I am the bread of life": With a meager amount, Jesus miraculously satisfied the hunger of thousands. He is also the spiritual "bread" that truly satisfies our deepest longings, providing sustenance that lasts forever.
- Walking on Water & "I am the light of the world": Jesus' dominion over the stormy sea showcased His power over fear and chaos. He is also the "light" that guides us through the darkness, illuminating the path to truth and hope.
- Healing the Blind Man & "I am the good shepherd": Giving sight to the man born blind illustrates Jesus' care and provision. He is the "good shepherd" who lovingly guides His flock, helping them see the right way.
- Raising Lazarus & "I am the resurrection and the life": Bringing Lazarus back from death powerfully demonstrated Jesus' ultimate authority over mortality itself. Believing in Him is the key to eternal life, a life that triumphs over the grave.
If you were to ask people around the world, "Who is Jesus?", you'd receive a kaleidoscope of answers – a good teacher, a prophet, an inspiring figure. Even Jesus Himself posed this crucial question to His followers: "But who do you say that I am?" This is a question each of us must grapple with personally.
Who is Jesus Christ?
"Christ" isn't merely a last name; it's a title – THE CHRIST, the promised Messiah. The Holy Spirit declared His divinity in the very first chapter of John's Gospel, and the early disciples echoed this truth. In John 1:41, Andrew proclaimed, "'We have found the Messiah' (which translated means Christ)." Jesus is THE Messiah, the one sent by God. John the Baptist affirmed this early on, identifying Him as the Lamb of God, the Messiah, the Savior. His miracles serve as undeniable proof of His divine nature. The evidence is overwhelming, but ultimately, what do you believe?
There exists a kind of belief that falls short of salvation. We see this in John chapter 2: "many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did. But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man" (John 2:23-25). Thousands were drawn to Jesus by His miracles, even calling themselves disciples during the feeding of the five thousand. Yet, when the miraculous meals ceased and Jesus began to speak of sin and heavenly realities, many turned away. Even Judas "believed" in Jesus in his own way. These were superficial beliefs, rooted in what they could gain or see in the moment.
What is the crucial difference between a superficial belief in Jesus and BELIEVING IN JESUS?
First and foremost, believing in Jesus means accepting Him for who He says He is – the Son of God, the Messiah, the Savior. It means acknowledging the absolute truth of His statement: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6). This statement unequivocally eliminates any other proposed path to Heaven.
Good works, regular church attendance, and tithing, while potentially important expressions of faith, cannot earn you a place in Heaven. The only way to Heaven is by BELIEVING in the name of Jesus as your personal Savior, trusting that His blood has washed away all your sins. It is His sacrifice that unlocks the door to eternal life for those who accept Him and seals it shut for those who reject Him.
If you truly believe this, a vital step follows: self-examination. You must recognize your own sinfulness and your desperate need for a Savior. You must confess your sins and sincerely ask Jesus to save you.
Is that enough? If you are the dying sinner on the cross, with no time left to actively live out your faith, then yes, that moment of genuine belief is your salvation.
But, if you have been granted more time, more days to walk this earth, it is not enough to simply believe in that initial moment. Jesus tells us, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed" (John 8:31).
What does it mean to "abide"? It's a verb, an action. Abiding in Christ isn't a fleeting feeling or a passive belief; it's something we actively do.
What do you do?
Jesus, in John 20:21, declared, "As the Father has sent Me, I also send you." Consider the Father's mission for Jesus: to seek and save lost sinners and bring them salvation.
This same commission now rests upon the church, upon each and every believer. We are called to go out and spread the good news about Jesus.
Imagine the explosive growth of our churches if every single one of God's people embraced this simple command! Picture the unstoppable strength and joy within our congregations if every member was actively pouring into the lives of other believers!
THIS is the very core of what the church must be! Look at our bulletin: North Canton Baptist Church – it says Edifying God, Evangelizing His Word, Encouraging People. Simply building His kingdom.
This isn't just a suggestion; it's the FIGHTING CALL for every single one of you! That's why you hear the relentless call to work for the Kingdom. God hasn't left anyone empty-handed! You possess a DIVINE GIFT, a WEAPON to build His church!
Whether it's preaching, singing, teaching, designing, cleaning, encouraging, running sound, or greeting – NONE of these are optional extras! They are your assigned duties! Every Christian is commanded to make disciples, and the only way that happens is if every single Christian unleashes their God-given gift!
So, beyond the signs we read about, beyond the physical sight some were granted, let us embrace the blessedness of unseen belief. And let that belief not be passive, but an active outpouring of the gifts God has entrusted to us, for the building of His Kingdom.
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