A Matter of Trust

John 8:31-32 (NIV)31 …Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”[1]

Which comes first, understanding or obedience? A positive response to authority is always easier when we agree with what we are being asked to do. However, the real issue is not agreement, but trust.

Picture the child who is about to run out into the street and a loving parent yells, “Stop!” If the child obeys, trusting his parent’s view, then serious injury or even death is averted. However, if the child subconsciously says to himself, “I don’t see why I need to stop,” and runs into the street, trusting his own view of the situation… You get the idea.

Michael Slaughter, a pastor in Ohio, tells of an experience in Germany. In a discussion with German Christians, Slaughter discovered they have no word for “lord.” They refer to Jesus as Herr Jesus – Mr. Jesus. In the conversation they said to him that American Christians might as well not have the word “lord,” for we refer to Jesus as Lord without really making him Lord.

Sadly, I think this is more true than we want to believe. All too often he is Lord only as long as we agree with him. Is that trust? Absolutely not! Yet, placing our trust in Jesus, as opposed to anyone or anything else, including ourselves, is not just foundational to receiving God’s blessing it is a prerequisite to everything that God wants to give us and do through us. True trust demonstrates itself in obedience which more often than not, leads to understanding.

According to the verse above, the mark of discipleship is obedience to the teachings of Jesus. The by-product of that trust displayed in obedience understanding and freedom. The old hymn had it right. “Trust and obey, for there’s no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.”

[1] The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984. Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

Who Did Jesus Claim To Be?

John 8:24-25  I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins.”  “Who are you?” they asked. “Just what I have been claiming all along,” Jesus replied.

Everything rests on the true identity of Jesus. For the Christ follower, our identity is rooted in his identity. Jesus was very concerned that his identity was being correctly interpreted. That is why he asked the disciples traveling with him, "Who do people say I am?” As a follow up he asked, “Who do you say I am?” (Matthew 16:13-16; Mark 8:27-30; Luke 9:18-20)

Who is Jesus? What or who does Jesus claim to be? I looked up all the places in the Bible where Jesus uses the words “I am.” I was specifically interested in the places where those words referred to who he claimed to be. One of the most interesting statements I found was in John 14:20 where Jesus says, “I am in you.” Think about that while you read through a few selected “I am” statements below. This one you are reading about, Jesus, wants to live in, and through, you!

• I am gentle and humble in heart… Matthew 11:29
• I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob… Matthew 22:32
• I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:20
• I am,” said Jesus. [the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One] Mark 14:62
• I am among you as one who serves. Luke 22:27
• I am the bread of life. John 6:48
• I am the light of the world. John 8:12
• I tell you the truth, Jesus answered, before Abraham was born, I am! John 8:58
• I am the light of the world. John 9:5
• I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— John 10:14
• I am God’s Son... John 10:36
• I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; John 11:25
• You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. John 13:13
• I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6
• I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. John 14:20
• I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5
• You are right in saying I am a king. John 18:37

The Passionate Focus of Jesus

John 19:28 Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.”[1]

It was only after Jesus knew his work was completed that he turned his attention to his own needs to say "I am thirsty." I am so stunned by the insight from this one verse, this glimpse into the single-minded desire of Jesus, that I don’t know what else to say. No wonder Jesus’ movement toward his own crucifixion is often referred to as “the passion.”


[1]The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (Jn 19:28). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.