GPS Guide – April 10, 2019

WE ARE EQUIPPED

Wednesday

Read: John 20:29-31

“²⁹ Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” ³⁰ Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. ³¹ But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (NIV John 20:29-31)

Study:  John wrote this gospel late in the period when the generation of the apostles was dying. He told of Thomas’ refusal to believe unless he saw Jesus (John 20:24-28). Jesus said, “Happy are those who don’t see and yet believe,” because if people didn’t trust the testimony of those who’d seen Jesus, the faith would die out. We don’t see Jesus as the apostles did. But an eyewitness wrote this gospel so that we may believe as he did and have eternal life. We may think faith was easy for Jesus’ disciples, because “they could see and hear him.” But John went on to write that “Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples didn’t realize it was Jesus” (John 21:4). That happened at other times, too. What settings, situations, or spiritual practices help you trust that Jesus is with you, even if unseen?

Pray: Loving Jesus, keep speaking to my heart through the witness of the people who knew you when you walked this earth. Grow my capacity to believe in your presence with me always. Amen.