A Great Benediction John 20:29-31 To See or Not to See Why This Book Was Written

John 20:29 (NASB) 29  Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.”

A Great Benediction John 20:29-31 To See or Not to See What does Jesus mean by this statement? Is a subjective faith better than an objective faith? Is a faith that has no relation to evidence better than one that has evidence? Is a subjective faith more blessed than an objective faith?

A Great Benediction John 20:29-31 To See or Not to See It is difficult to believe that Jesus is preferring a subjective faith. Jesus had just offered up proof of His resurrection to draw Thomas into the fold. This verse is followed with a statement about why these things were written … “so you may believe.” This statement is sandwiched between two statements concerning evidences for faith.

A Great Benediction John 20:29-31 To See or Not to See Jesus is not speaking of a subjective faith but of a satisfied faith. A satisfied faith is one that is not looking for visions, miracles, esoteric experiences, or various forms of success as evidence of God’s favor. Ultimately, a satisfied faith is complete and superior.

A Great Benediction John 20:29-31 To See or Not to See What about visions? Many in Scripture saw visions. We often say, “If I could experience God the way they did, my faith, walk, and witness would be so much better.” These experiences we seek are often based in pride. In the examples of Scripture, faith always gives meaning to experience, not experience to faith.

A Great Benediction John 20:29-31 To See or Not to See What about miracles or other special acts of God? Do you pray for miracles? Do you think you could believe God better if you saw some miracles? Constantly looking for miracles makes you insensitive to the thousands of normal evidences of God’s mercy. We can become dependent on miracles.

A Great Benediction John 20:29-31 To See or Not to See What about some esoteric experiences? Some read passages like 1 Corinthians 12:7-10 and long for such experiences to validate their faith.

1 Corinthians 12:7-10 (NASB) 7  But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8  For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9  to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10  and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues.

A Great Benediction John 20:29-31 To See or Not to See What about some esoteric experiences? Some read passages like 1 Corinthians 12:7-10 and long for such experiences to validate their faith. As we read these chapters in context, Paul never tells us to seek out these experiences and, in fact, he seems to warn against them. There is never the pronouncement of a special blessing on them.

A Great Benediction John 20:29-31 To See or Not to See What about the evidence of success? Society today links numbers, converts, church growth, and church income to evidences of faith. So, what is faith then? Faith is believing God on the basis of His Word and then acting on it! God’s blessings are for all who believe. Suppose God’s blessings were only for those who experienced the unusual.

A Great Benediction John 20:29-31 To See or Not to See What are those blessings? It is by faith that we become children of God and enter into the privileges of God’s spiritual family – John 1:12. It is through faith that we have eternal life. By faith we are delivered from judgment. Faith ushers us into the blessings of spiritual satisfaction now. Faith is the means by which we enter into the final resurrection.

A Great Benediction John 20:29-31 To See or Not to See What are those blessings? – cont. Faith is the way we become a blessing to others through the Holy Spirit. Through faith we see the glory of God. Faith is the secret to a holy life. Faith brings the blessings of a fruitful and effective life. Faith brings the benefits of Jesus’ prayers on our behalf.

A Great Benediction John 20:29-31 Why This Book Was Written It was not written to glorify the writer John but to glorify the Son of God. The Gospel of John is a selection of events for the sole purpose that people might believe that Jesus is the Son of God and glorify Him. The chain of witnesses is specific and deliberate.

A Great Benediction John 20:29-31 Application How is your faith? Is it growing because of your dependence on the Word of God and submission to the Holy Spirit? Or … Are you looking to God for something to confirm His presence and work in your life?