May, 18, 2011 Wednesday Night Bible Study...John 14: 1-14

In these passages, Jesus was speaking to (teaching) His disciples at the last supper.  We were struck by the number of times Jesus said the words "BELIEVE" and "KNOW".  He did not use this time to give His disciples a "To Do" list or a "Survival" checklist.  Instead He emphasized the necessity of believing and knowing that He and God were one and He invited them to be one with Him as well.

As we studied these verses, I got a picture of a Bible study group, sitting and listening as the leader of the group teaches.  I am sure that we have all been in such a setting.  Two of the blessings from these verses are the results of questions that came up in the middle of the study.  Two verses, spoken by Jesus, which are the foundation of our Christian beliefs.  Thomas was confused about where Jesus was going and how are we to follow, to which Jesus replied in verse 6, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me."  Then Phillip showed that he was having trouble believing and knowing God.  In verse 9 Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me?  Whoever has seen me has seen the Father....."  

Jesus understands our confusion and our struggle to understand and believe.  I just find it very encouraging that it was through the questions of these two disciples that we get two such powerful and recognizable verses from Christ.  He responds to our questions and our searching.  He responds through our prayer time with Him.  He shares through our Bible study and in our worship.  He gave us the Holy Spirit to overcome our confusion and unbelief, because it is only through believing in Him that we will be saved.

Our group talked about how simple Christ made it.  He did not give us a complicated formula or tasks to do in order to share in Him.  It is by our belief and knowing that He and God are one that we too are one with them.