Declare Your Faith

John 12:37-43. Please also read 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 (and references made to Hebrews 4:12 and Proverbs 8:1-4).

There was a lot of arguing about who Jesus was, about Jesus’ claims about himself as coming from the Father, being one with the Father, being true Bread, the Light of the World. What was he doing healing the sick and restoring sight on the Sabbath? Where does his power come from to raise the dead? He was both the Shepherd and the gate who let in a woman caught in adultery. There was a lot of belief and unbelief among the Jews. Even after Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him…Yet at the same time many even among the leaders would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved human praise more than praise from God.

Reading these last words especially, is difficult because they immediately turn to ask, to examine our hearts and actions. It is true that the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Have we denied Christ by being passive or neutral with family, at work, among friends—even friends who are also people of faith? Maybe some of us are fearful of what others would think if they knew we actually believed that Jesus is the Son of God, risen from the dead, ascended, still alive and coming again. Are you one of those who prays for the fulfilment of the Book of Revelation? A Come, Lord Jesus, Come person?

This passage opens our eyes to some of the dangers of trying to fit in, even among those who are people of faith. Isaiah saw Jesus’ glory and spoke about him. Before Christ came into the world, prophets like Isaiah spoke of his coming despite unbelief or lack of understanding of the people. We can learn from this kind of obedience to declare the truth of who God has revealed himself to be. Let us not be even a little bit ashamed of the Gospel that has set us free. Christ, the wisdom of God, must be declared from the highest point along [our] way.

The world may think that what we believe is foolishness, laughable in this age of technology and advancement, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God…The foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. So, today, let us think about those parts of our lives we are tempted to only whisper or even fully deny Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Then, if there is anything, make an about face and declare the message of the Cross.

Amen.