August 2022 - LPNI

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August 2022

LPNI Devotion

Seeing Equals Believing

Holy Scripture sometimes uses the metaphor of “seeing,” to explain the difference between those who would receive the benefits of Jesus’ perfect life and sacrificial death and those who would not. For example, John the Baptist said of Jesus: Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him (John 3:36 ESV).

If we take John’s words literally, we could understand them to mean that only those who believe in Jesus as their Savior would one day see the glory of his heaven; but if we understand John’s words as applying to this life, then seeing becomes equal to believing. We can also apply this principle to Jesus’ words to Nicodemus (John 3:2,3 ESV) where we read: This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Jesus used the opposite of “seeing” to describe the Pharisees when he said: “Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.” (Matthew 15:14 ESV) The Pharisees were not literally blind, but because they refused to believe in Jesus as Savior, they were blind to the benefits of his promises for those who believe in him.

Jesus healed many people during his ministry on earth. Once when Jesus was leaving Jericho a blind beggar was sitting by the road. Jesus said to him: “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight.” Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way. (Mark 10:51, 52 ESV) Yes, the man had been physically blind; and yes, now he could physically see. But what did Jesus say made the difference? It was the man’s faith that led him to follow Jesus.

In John 9 there is the account of Jesus healing a man who was born blind. The Pharisees interrogated the man and accused Jesus of being a sinner. The man replied: “Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” (John 9:25ESV)

There are more examples in Holy Scripture of seeing equals believing. Most apply to a personal commitment to follow Jesus. But seeing is not just something for us. It is for everyone. There is the example of the Samaritan woman Jesus met at Jacob’s well. After Jesus brought her to faith in him as her Savior, what did she do? She ran back to her town and said to her friends: “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?” (John 4:29 ESV)

She led her friends to physically see Jesus, after which they believed in him, too. Seeing Jesus with the eyes of faith is still essential. As those who, by faith, see Jesus now, it is our responsibility to help others see him so they too may see him in his glory in heaven with us.

Rev. Dr. Steven Simon, Navarre Beach, Florida

Mrnkp1@yahoo.co