that whoever believes in him

 

(This year’s Lenten posts revolve around John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” With COVID19 on everyone’s minds this week, I was tempted to veer from that theme and offer Biblical inspiration for dealing with the pandemic. But I think we need to turn our eyes back towards Lent and the upcoming crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Despite all this chaos, I’m not going to let my Easter be cancelled.)

   Jesus said to the woman, “Because you believed, you are saved from your sins. Go in peace.” (Luke 7:50, New Century Version)

For the month of February, I wrote about the word “love” and was amazed by how many times it appears in the Bible. I found the word “believe” half as many times, but it was still a very impressive number.

   “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” (Matthew 21:22, New International Version)

Which makes perfect sense. Isn’t that what the entire Bible is about? Believing. Having faith. Knowing in your heart that God is your loving Father in heaven and that His Son has saved you from your sins?

   So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. (Matthew 17:20, New King James Version)

But how many of us have that much faith? That much belief in a God we might not be able to see or touch? The thing is it isn’t up to us to move those mountains.

   Jesus said to her, “Dear woman, you are made well because you believed. Go in peace; be healed of your disease.” (Mark 5:34, New Century Version)

It isn’t up to us whether or not we are healed of our physical ailments. What matters is that we are healed of our sin.

Lord, God, Heavenly Father, be with us in these trying times. Send us Your Holy Spirit to heal us of our unbelief and to grant us relief from worry. And if it is Your will, heal us from all of physical afflictions. Amen