Passage Read: Mark 9-10
Meditation Verse: 10:15
Thought
What is it about a little child that encapsulates saving faith? Is it that they are so innocent and guileless that they don't doubt any word spoken to them? They believe without doubt because they haven't learned that people can't be trusted or believed? People break their word or make claims about themselves that often aren't true or are exaggerated, so after some growing up and experiencing the unreliability of people, we know not to take people too literally or seriously. Then Jesus comes along with His fantastical claims and we have trouble believing Him. We have doubts; we want proof. So Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but all we get is Christ crucified and raised again. We view Jesus through our jaded lenses and end up holding Him at arm's length, until and unless He proves Himself satisfactorily to us. That's not saving faith according to Jesus. Saving faith is the kind that takes Jesus at His Word, without doubt or hesitation. For most of us who have lived in the world long enough, it takes time for us to get there, but get there we must.
Application
Some may call this kind of faith blind, but that's not exactly right. It is completely trusting, like those trust falls. It is a leap for those of us jaded by our time in the world. It is accepting without reservation or doubt who Jesus is and all He has promised. There is evidence for those who are willing to accept it, but it is never as sufficient or overwhelming as we would like. It comes down to a choice to be all in or not, to lay aside every remaining doubt and go with what has been revealed, considering it absolutely true and adjusting my life and actions in accord. I want this transforming faith, to no longer have any reservation, but to be completely sold out and bought in, with all my hopes and eggs in that basket and no longer an out or safety net or alternate option if this doesn't pan out. Interestingly, that's where Jesus' disciples end up: "Lord, we have left everything to follow You."