Sooner or Later
“Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father”
John 14:9 (NIV)
I was attending a Communion Service in a local church where anyone was free to rise and read a Scripture, comment on it, ask for a certain hymn to be sung, or pray out loud.
On this Sunday a well dressed young man stood up and read some words of Jesus. Then he announced that he was Jesus, the One who had said those words so long ago!
Talk about hearing a pin drop! The silence was deafening. The young man sat down right after his announcement. After a short silence (which seemed an eternity) he left. A couple of men followed him to see if he needed help. We later learned he was a regular patient at the local psychiatric unit.
What would you think of a person who said, “Look at me and see God the Father.”? Of course you would view them as I viewed that sad young man. But Jesus said many such things about being God when He walked this earth.
In the context of today’s verse, Jesus is seeking to comfort His frightened disciples by teaching them who He was. He went on further to say, “The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.“ (John 14:10 NIV)
When we’re truly honest with ourselves, we’ll admit we need superhuman assistance to get through our own times of distress. We need the wisdom and strength that God alone can give.
According to Hebrews 11:6, we must have faith since, “… without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.“ (NIV)
If Jesus was merely a good moral teacher, a nice man, or whatever, He would be of no use to anyone in trouble today. He must have been raised from the dead and be alive in order to help us with our problems. If we believe and trust in Him we’ll come to see that He’s everything He claims to be (and more).
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.“ (Philippians 4:19 NIV)
We may live with a problem for years without relief, or it might be resolved in a matter of hours. Why one way and not the other? What He may be telling us is that it’s Him we need, not a solution to our problem. Sometimes He may use a problem to draw us near and waits for a change in us to happen first. If we want an answer to prayer, we must continue to pray. Ask Him what He wants you to learn from your situation. Sooner or later, you’ll get an answer.
Do you believe Jesus is who He said He is? Come to the One Who has all the resources you need to guide you through life. Jesus calls. He’s patiently waiting to hear from you.