Will He Find The Faith?

The eight signs of John provide a series of remarkable events that reveal the divine plan of salvation. We considered various features of these signs and some beautiful principles emerged. The first sign was the turning of water to wine (John 2:9); the second, the healing of the ruler?s son (John 4:47); the third, the healing of the lame man (John 5:6-8). This first group of signs reveals the power of transformation that results from an understanding of the gospel message. We do not need to be forever doomed to the weak condition of our human nature. The doctrine of Christ can redeem us from such a condition, and strengthen us spiritually. Such a wonderful experience will bring us inner peace and spiritual health.

The next four signs occurred during the last year of the Lord?s ministry. The turning of five loaves and two fishes into a meal for 5,000 (John 6:9), followed by the calming of the stormy sea (John 6:19-21), the healing of the blind man (John 9:1) and the resurrection of Lazarus (John 11:43-44) speak in sequence of our need to ingest the bread, the word of God, and what we gain from it: a faith in, and vision of, God?s purpose ultimately established and our salvation therein. In the eigth sign (John 21), there are parallels to the events that follow the resurrection, should we fall asleep before the return of Christ Jesus. One of these is the gathering together of the faithful from the last 6,000 years to share fellowship with Christ and one another. It is our eager anticipation to be a part of this group, but there are risks along the way of which we must be wary.

In Mark?s parallel account (16:9), Jesus first appeared to Mary (who then ran to tell the disciples that he was risen), then he appeared to the two disciples as they walked in the country (and likely they told the other disciples) and then appeared to the "eleven". But in verse 14, Jesus "appeared" to the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. Matthew?s parallel account (28:16) records that Jesus commanded the eleven disciples to meet him in Galilee (prior to his manifestations to them and 500 brethren as reported in 1 Corinthians 15:6). The eleven gathered on this occasion, but some doubted (Matthew 28:17). John chapter 21 records the last appearance of Jesus and there is no mention of any doubting.

There is another interesting point. John 21:2 mentions only seven disciples awaiting the coming of the Lord and who, with Peter?s encouragement, decided to go fishing. They were busy when Jesus returned ? busy with activity that gained them nothing. The exhortation is urgent and important: if we grow tired of waiting, we should consider for a moment just how much time and effort we are currently expending in pursuing the things of this life.

What are we doing with our time? Consider how quickly we entertain thoughts such as moderation in our calling to a life of prayer and walking with God, or actual involvement in activities that do not, of themselves, involve God. There is no real reason why our thoughts and necessary daily activities shouldn?t involve God. We select the materials with which we fill our mind; the activities we undertake, the company we keep; the topics we discuss. Let us be careful of a little moderation here, a little compromise there, for we could become weakened (sign 3), spiritual vision become blinded (sign 4) and resurrection be only an obscure and distant idea (sign 7).

Actually, human nature is a very subtle and adverse influence within us, continually prompting us to seek personal rewards and pleasures rather than future rewards and eternal pleasures through present discipline. What should we do so that we can achieve faith and sustain a faithful life until we breathe our last ? so that it will not be said of us that we doubted or grew tired of waiting?

We are supposed to stimulate ourselves to achieve this desire by considering the fact that our actual physical nature can be changed. Paul thought "as we have borne the image of the earthy (the nature of the first Adam) we shall bear the image of the heavenly (the nature of the second Adam)" 1 Corinthians 15:49).

?And we shall be like him?! What a glorious prospect is before us. Our present efforts to walk with God are imperfect at best, but by developing and maintaining an intense desire to walk with Him in humility and reverence, the Master can intercede and eventually we will be made wholely.

Bro. Patrick Wafula (Kamukuywa, Kenya)