Faith - it may not be what you think it is

 

S - "Jesus replied, “Didn’t I tell you that if you had faith, you would see the glory of God?” John 11:40 

 

O - These are the words of Jesus spoken to the sister of his friend who had died four days earlier. He was talking about a resurrection on that very day and she was stuck in her theological framework. You can read the entire exchange in John's account at chapter eleven. So, what does Jesus mean by "if you had faith"? Is he provoking her to rehearse, enhance or alter some theological conclusions about his identity? Is having faith laying a claim to some promise or principle in scripture? The record is clear and the answer is no. In fact, the resurrection of her brother is not the result of her request, spiritual intensity or scriptural understanding. Yet, she sees her brother raised to life and the glory of God in it all.  Faith (the original language word) is not a theological term but a relational one.  It means to rely on or have confidence in.  It is not the result of theological definition but of personal exchange.  Even in her misunderstanding and failure to ask, she is relying on and having confidence in Jesus.  The rest is history and a glorious one it is. 

 

A - The opportunity of choice, the work heaven wants all people to do, is to believe (to have confidence in and rely on) the one sent by God.  Religion has made faith a theological term and heaven insists on keeping it relational.  The great thing for me in this story is that being near Jesus in relational confidence is more important than knowing what to ask for.  The sister won't miss because of who she is with; not because of her theological prowess or spiritual fervor. The same dynamic is offered to me and to all.  The invitation remains: "follow me and you'll be amazed at what you see."  All these years later I can say -- I remain amazed at Jesus and at God's glory.     

 

P - Lord,

Am so very grateful for your open-ended and unrelenting invitation to come near and to believe.  Thank you for insisting on a relationship rather than a religious practice; for the joy of knowing you and not just knowing about you.  Thank you for putting the face on God; for clarifying his person and his purposes.  

Confident in and relying on you,

Steve