From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” John 6:66-69 NIV
I love the Gospels. These eyewitness accounts speak to me so deeply because I have lived many of these experiences myself. I feel like I have walked in the sandals of the disciples in their confusion, misunderstandings, deep passion, loyalty, commitments, mess-ups, and victories – all of it. The crazy mixed up emotions of learning to follow and loving the change but recognizing the cost. You know what I mean, don’t you?
All along the journey in following Jesus, friends have dropped out, our paths have taken different directions. Others claim to believe in Jesus, but it makes no earthly difference in their lives. My friends are intelligent people. They all believe Jesus was a historical figure who walked the earth doing good and probably even more than that. But a God who deserves all I have? Not that kind of belief. Why do I believe it?
Why do I believe Jesus is who He says He is? Why do I live my life for Him, be willing to even die for Him? I’m pretty simple, like Peter. I have studied all the historical reasons to believe, heard all the philosophical debates, researched the reliability of the testimonials, but none of those are my reason why. My answer is the same as Peter’s: “Where else would I go? He has spoken the words of life to me. I have come to believe from my personal interactions with Him that He is truly God.”
In my personal experience, this is what I have discovered. Jesus is the only One who has ever been able to meet the deep hunger of my heart for worth, significance, and hope. No counselor or therapist could erase my sticky sense of shame and guilt. He did by forgiving all my sins. He is the only thing – person or experience – that has given meaning to life in every season of my 73 years. No one but Jesus was able to effectively help me deal with the pain of parting through the deaths of my dearest loved ones and give me hope and direction that is steadfast and sure. No one but Jesus gives me the peace and wisdom I need for a satisfying and productive life in a world that can be disappointing and confusing. He gives me joy that keeps bubbling back.
So, that’s why I believe that Jesus is God. I have discovered I have persistent God-sized needs, and Jesus is the One who has met them and fully satisfied me.
- Why do you believe what you believe? Think it through. Jesus is anxious to show Himself to you.