“How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” (John 10:22)

This won’t be the last time someone asks such a question.  One might expect those who didn’t know Him that well to ask such questions; but in the 14th chapter of John, Philip-one of the twelve chosen disciples asks Jesus to reveal more about Himself and about the Father….Jesus responds:

9 “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know Me? Whoever has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?

What part of the love and mercy of God do people not understand?  Critics of religion seem to only seek the negative about God, when the negative that comes is from the imperfect world, not-so-perfect church, and the naturally flawed followers of God.

Jesus responds to their question (verse 23):  “I have told you, but you do not believe…”
Faith is the key.  Faith is that which we cannot begin to fully explain; our belief is not based on hard facts-other than what we sense in Holy Scripture.

I do not require concrete proof because faith comes from the heart.  Those who do not believe, won’t get it; those who have turned their backs on God for whatever reason just will not have the insight to see God as He is to be seen.  If one doesn’t follow the voice of God, they will not have the necessary tools to be a part of the flock.

Now – does that mean that even though humans will choose to believe something else that God will give up?

No.  God never gives up.  The image later in this Gospel message makes it clear…
“What My Father has given Me is greater than all else…” (verse 29)  In our inabilities to believe and follow, God has something “greater than all else.”  God’s love never ceases, God’s presence never ends; God always finds a way….yep, even for those who do not believe.

This includes you and me.  Even though – to us – it is crystal clear who and what Jesus is to us and the world, the world doesn’t tend to claim Him as such.  Jesus admits it openly when He says this in the “high priestly prayer of Jesus” in John 17:

25 “Righteous Father, the world does not know You, but I know You; and these know that You have sent Me.”

So – to those who “know Him” – it is our task, our charge, to share what we believe and know about Jesus with all we meet.  Then, just maybe, others will see God working through us and come to know Him as well.

Kill the suspense.  Love one another.  Leave no room for doubt, and remember…

God loves you and so do we!

Pastor Jim