On finding the crowd eagerly searching for him and following him, Jesus recognises their real motivation. On being asked what is it that they need to do, he replies, "Believe in the one sent by the Father!"
Post resurrection, when on their own, the apostles meet the crippled man at the Temple and heal him. The people who witness this miracle, then ask them, "What is it that they must do to be saved?" The apostles reply, "Repent and believe in the Gospel."
The latter episode is actually a stepping stone for growing in faith; namely, believing in the words and works of God. The earlier context of Jesus is when Jesus is challenging them to get their faith right: not in the miracles and wonders of God but in God himself! That for most of us is the real challenge. We most often believe in God - or rather in his miracles and signs and wonders. It is believing the person of God that is most challenging. That's why Jesus says to Thomas, "Blessed are they who do not see, and yet believe!" For those whose faith rests purely on miracles and wonders, there constantly needs to be a stream of these in order for them to sustain their faith. But for the one who believes in the person of God, miracles and wonders are only a bonus - not the essentials for faith.
Radical faith is belief in God; not merely the words or works of God. Faith in God the person, not the performer!
Post resurrection, when on their own, the apostles meet the crippled man at the Temple and heal him. The people who witness this miracle, then ask them, "What is it that they must do to be saved?" The apostles reply, "Repent and believe in the Gospel."
The latter episode is actually a stepping stone for growing in faith; namely, believing in the words and works of God. The earlier context of Jesus is when Jesus is challenging them to get their faith right: not in the miracles and wonders of God but in God himself! That for most of us is the real challenge. We most often believe in God - or rather in his miracles and signs and wonders. It is believing the person of God that is most challenging. That's why Jesus says to Thomas, "Blessed are they who do not see, and yet believe!" For those whose faith rests purely on miracles and wonders, there constantly needs to be a stream of these in order for them to sustain their faith. But for the one who believes in the person of God, miracles and wonders are only a bonus - not the essentials for faith.
Radical faith is belief in God; not merely the words or works of God. Faith in God the person, not the performer!
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