Belief and Unbelief

John 21:12. It was the second Sunday after the resurrection. The apostles were out fishing on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus was on the shore and called to them. There was a great catch of fish. When Jesus called them to breakfast:

None of the disciples dared ask Him,
"Who are You?" -- knowing it was the Lord.

In Bible class last week, I asked why John would record this. It seems obvious to me that there must've been some desire to ask Him the question, but they didn't dare do it. They knew it was the Lord, and yet they still wanted to ask Him who He was, but they didn't.

Pastor pointed out how the disciples' faith was being strengthened through these weeks. On Thursday night they all ran away. On Saturday they were in hiding. On Sunday morning they didn't believe the women's message. And yet... Peter and John ran to the tomb. John saw and believed, for as yet they did not know the scripture that He must rise from the dead. Then Peter and John went back to Mark's house with the rest of 'em. Still hiding. As Pastor has said, "Not exactly pillars of faith!" Still, John "saw and believed."

Then that Sunday night, they were in fear of the Jews. When Jesus appeared, they thought he was a ghost. But He absolved them (Peace to you). "They were glad when they saw the Lord."

They tell Thomas the wonderful news. Poor guy doesn't believe them and spends the next seven days not only missing his Lord but convinced that his compatriots are whacked out. Jesus came to them again the next Sunday evening. He absolved them again. Faith grew. Unbelief diminished. But the unbelief was not gone.

The next Sunday Jesus comes to them again. Again there are doubts. But the doubts each week seem smaller. Jesus' word to them, His forgiveness, strengthens them in spite of their unbelief. He creates belief in the midst of unbelief.

And He keeps on doing it today.


In the midst of utter woe
when our sins oppress us,
where shall we for refuge go,
where for grace to bless us?
To Thee, Lord Jesus, only! TLH 590