Belief in Jesus 2

Belief in Jesus 2

“I tell you most solemnly, whoever believes in me will perform the same works as I do myself, he will perform even greater works.”  (John 14: 12)

Today Jesus speaks to me again about faith in him.  Again, a promise is attached to belief in Jesus.  The last time Jesus spoke to me about faith in him, the promise is eternal life. (John 3:15, 36; 5:24)  Today, the promise is not eternal life but greater ability to contribute to the work of building up of the kingdom of God.

What type of belief in Jesus will produce this power?  Belief that Jesus is the Son of God and therefore God.  Belief in all that the Bible says about Jesus.  Belief that Jesus is the Suffering Servant of Yahweh revealed in the prophecy of Isaiah.  Belief in the reality of the crucifixion and all its implications.  Belief in the miracles of Jesus, his passion, death and resurrection.  

Belief in Jesus is not static but dynamic.  This belief grows everyday as Jesus reveals more of himself to us.  He invites us to deeper faith in him everyday.  We respond to this invitation when we pray, study his word and receive him in the Eucharist.  Then our faith becomes more focused and more simple.  Then we are not shocked by the scandal of the incarnation, the simplicity of the Man Jesus and in the humiliation of the cross.