"But he said to him, 'If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.'" (Luke 16:31)
Luke 16 was my Gospel reading for February 29. Every time I read this passage I am reminded of the age old "If-God-exists-why-doesn't-He-show-Himself?" question. Well, again I say that is exactly what He did 2000 years ago in Jesus. Most people, however, did not like what they saw.
Our text speaks to people who think that if God were just to answer this or that prayer, if we would just see more "miracles," everyone would be a Believer, receive Jesus, and the world would be okay. Jesus teaches us that this is just not so. Belief/faith only comes from one Source. The Greek translation of Romans 10:17 is, "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." If my faith, your faith, any "faith" is not from, rooted in, sustained by, "the word of Christ," it is not what the Bible calls, "the faith of Jesus"; it is just not "saving faith."
So, today we continue to pray for miracles, "signs and wonders" etc., yet all the while knowing that, "If they did not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead."
Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You for these Your Words. Keep them ever before me."
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When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
