Today’s devotion is based on the Message: Purpose Revealed (Watch Here)
The first and foremost purpose that God desires to happen in our lives is that we “believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and that by believing we may have life in his name.”
Yet, this is challenging for some to do.
Why?
Let me address one of the reasons that people object to the Christian faith: I follow science, not faith.
A short devotion cannot fully explore this, but let me put forward one thing: Both are based on evidence.
When I was in elementary school, we learned that science is the practice of gaining knowledge through observation. The scientific method consisted of the combination of observation, experimentation and conclusions.
I like science. If I wasn’t a pastor, I’d probably have pursued something in math or science.
But here’s what I’ve come to realize. The things that the Bible invites us to believe are based on facts, based on evidence.
Just like in science, there are experiments and things that others have done in the past that are relied on for current activity and experimentation, so the evidences of the Christian faith have been well documented and recorded for us to put our confidence in today.
Jesus wanted to make sure that his followers had a belief that was firmly rooted in observable and personally experienced facts.
One of many examples is the disciple Thomas.
The evening of the resurrection, he wasn’t with the other disciples. They reported that Jesus was alive. He didn’t believe it. He wanted to use his own senses to validate it…see it…touch it.
He certainly could have believed his fellow disciples, but for whatever reason he didn’t.
So Jesus came to Thomas to dispel his doubts.
John 20:26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
This is just one example of the Lord Jesus ensuring that our faith is not a “blind faith” that is based on no evidence. Who Jesus is and what he has done are well documented events of history. The scientific evidence affirms he was dead and was alive. These things were observed and although they defied the “laws” of life and death, this too is a strong evidence that Jesus was the Son of God.
But here’s Jesus’ words to us. He wanted to Thomas to believe so he showed himself to him. But in showing himself to Thomas, he was also giving evidence of his resurrection to all of us so that we can believe without personally seeing him or touching his wounds.
John 20:29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
So if you are a science, evidence, proof person…give the person and work of Jesus an honest look, and you will find I am sure, as I did, we have many strong proofs behind what we are invited to believe.
So believe and live in confidence. Jesus is your living Savior!
Apply: What questions of faith do you have? Feel free to email me at pastorgeiger@gmail.com and I’d be happy to help find an answer!
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for connecting with all of the doubters with the evidence of your person and work so that we would believe with confident faith that you are the Christ, the Son of the Living God! AMEN