Luke 24:12
In this passage, Peter hears the news about Jesus possibly having been raised from the dead and he immediately runs to see if it’s true. I could call the man doubtful or unbelieving, but I think what Peter employs here is a more see if for yourself type of faith.
Many times we hear of amazing things God has done or is doing in the lives of others and we simply not or say “amen”. But when we walk away, most of us secretly wish that our lives with God could be that alive, that we could see God that clearly. We say, “I wish I could encounter God the way they do.” But it usually stops at that. Peter’s faith, fault him of not, is one that will not be contented with simply hearing the amazing things God had done. He hears, and then he must see it and experience it for himself.
In regards to this passage then, there are two types of people in this world, hearers who do, and hearers who wish they would. The transition between the first category from the latter is simple. Begin to do. We must not allow ourselves to be contented with hearing of God’s greatness. We must search it out for ourselves.
It’s called having a tenacious faith. Where we live with a constant hunger to see more greatness and movement from our Creator. The best artists are tenacious learners. If you want to be a better writer, you better read the best books. If you want to be a great actor, you better watch some great performances. Great film directors must see all the great films during Oscar season. If something great is being developed in your artistic medium, you better get off your butt and go see it.
This is the faith that Peter has, and the faith that I desire to have. One that is not just content about hearing of God’s greatness, but sprints to the nearest sighting in order to see it.
-jon
In this passage, Peter hears the news about Jesus possibly having been raised from the dead and he immediately runs to see if it’s true. I could call the man doubtful or unbelieving, but I think what Peter employs here is a more see if for yourself type of faith.
Many times we hear of amazing things God has done or is doing in the lives of others and we simply not or say “amen”. But when we walk away, most of us secretly wish that our lives with God could be that alive, that we could see God that clearly. We say, “I wish I could encounter God the way they do.” But it usually stops at that. Peter’s faith, fault him of not, is one that will not be contented with simply hearing the amazing things God had done. He hears, and then he must see it and experience it for himself.
In regards to this passage then, there are two types of people in this world, hearers who do, and hearers who wish they would. The transition between the first category from the latter is simple. Begin to do. We must not allow ourselves to be contented with hearing of God’s greatness. We must search it out for ourselves.
It’s called having a tenacious faith. Where we live with a constant hunger to see more greatness and movement from our Creator. The best artists are tenacious learners. If you want to be a better writer, you better read the best books. If you want to be a great actor, you better watch some great performances. Great film directors must see all the great films during Oscar season. If something great is being developed in your artistic medium, you better get off your butt and go see it.
This is the faith that Peter has, and the faith that I desire to have. One that is not just content about hearing of God’s greatness, but sprints to the nearest sighting in order to see it.
-jon
