Our last session ended with a question about what the disciples may have heard from Jesus that was different from all the other times Jesus spoke to them. I’m really excited to investigate that question, but before we do, I think it’s important to look further at Jesus’ response to the disciples’ declaration of belief.
Jesus affirmed their belief. “You believe at last!” Other English versions translate this as a question. “Now, do you believe?” (RSV). If we were to only read the versions which translate this in the form of a question, it could be possible to read the question with a negative connotation. But, rather than the question being interpreted negatively, is it possible Jesus would have asked the question approving tone…. “Now-w-w-w, do you get it?”
One aspect of the written record I find somewhat striking is that Jesus doesn’t spend much time on their newly realised belief. He doesn’t spend time praising them. He doesn’t congratulate them. The good teacher simply acknowledges that the students finally ‘got it’ and they’re now ready for the next lesson. You believe? Good. Now you need to understand that you’re going to scatter and leave me. You believe; but very soon you’re going to make decisions as though you don’t believe.
So much for relishing their newly obtained clarity!! I imagine they very quickly became a bit more confused. Yet – lest my sarcasm detract from their experience – it is evident that they truly had come to a place of belief, or Jesus would not have acknowledged it the way he did.
In fact, a few verses later when Jesus prayed to the Father he said, in reference to the disciples, “For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me.” (Jn 17.8)
Did you hear what he said?! Jesus said the disciples knew with certainty that Jesus came from God. The RSV puts it like this: “they know in truth that I came from you”. After three years of not getting it; after all the misunderstood statements; after all the self-promoting behaviours; Jesus says the disciples got it with certainty.
With all the questions they had over the three years – and with the questions they had even after this point – Jesus’ statement to the Father seems to give them more credit than the disciples deserve. After all, their very next lesson was that they would soon act as though they didn’t really believe him. Soon after this night, on the day Jesus ascends to the Father, some of the disciples were still incorrectly applying the meaning of Jesus’ purpose and asked him, “Now are you going to establish the Kingdom in Israel?” (Acts 1.6). So, how much belief did their expression of belief really carry?
The fact that the disciples didn’t really get the full meaning of His role and personhood didn’t appear to bother Jesus. He seemed convinced that their belief – small though it may have been – gave them the essentials.
This is one of the most comforting attributes of God. He is so generous that he takes even a partial understanding and considers it great. Jesus isn’t expecting the disciples, or us, to have everything all figured out. It reminds me of what Jesus said about faith the size of a mustard seed. It also helps me understand that the dad who wanted his son healed and cried out, “I believe, help me overcome my unbelief!”, actually contained more belief than what he is generally given credit for (see Mk 9.17-27).
I find it amazing, that Jesus would give the disciples so much credit. I also find it comforting, that he would extend them so much grace. But, of course, that is WHO he is.
He is good, He is gentle and He is humble. He understood that the disciples only needed to catch a glimpse of the Truth for the seed of truth to be firmly planted within the soil of their hearts. He knew, once they believed, Holy Spirit would continue guiding them into all truth (cf Jn 16.12-14).