Just Believe

Just Believe

Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”John 6:29

‘Believe’ is a theme of John’s, mentioning it in his gospel 99 times.

Action

Of the 99 times, 98 of those are verbs i.e. action words!

In contrast to the other gospels and Paul’s writings, John’s gospel never uses the noun (“faith, belief”), but only the verb (“to believe; to trust”).

Believing is an action that one does, not an object or thing that one possesses; thus, the translation “believing” is better than “having faith.”

‘to believe’ requires action on our part.

Entrusting oneself to

‘to believe’ in Jesus is about relationship, and another way of translating ‘to believe’ is ‘entrusting oneself to’.

Entrust = ‘to put into the care or protection of someone’

The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.Deuteronomy 33:27

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding…Proverbs 3:5

‘to believe’ = throw yourself into the arms of Jesus

Chi Rho

‘…but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.’John 20:31 ESV

John identifies the primary goal of ‘to believe’, it is centred on the person of Jesus Christ.

The Chi Rho is an ancient symbol representing Christ.

Anointed refers to the all-encompassing Prophetic, Priestly, and Kingly nature of Jesus Christ.
Prophet = Messenger
Priest = Mediator
King = Master

Anointed refers to a longing fulfilled!

1. Come, thou long expected Jesus,
   born to set thy people free;
   from our fears and sins release us,
   let us find our rest in thee.
   Israel’s strength and consolation,
   hope of all the earth thou art;
   dear desire of every nation,
   joy of every longing heart.
2. Born thy people to deliver,
   born a child and yet a King,
   born to reign in us forever,
   now thy gracious kingdom bring.
   By thine own eternal spirit
   rule in all our hearts alone;
   by thine all sufficient merit,
   raise us to thy glorious throne.

chrestos = the good | christos = the anointed