From this we believe that You came from God.”
Jesus asked, “Do you finally believe? [Or stated: Finally you believe]
John 16:30-31
Hey why would he say that? Isn’t that a strange thing to say?
They have said before that they believe but this is the first time the disciples use the verb “believe” in the present continuous tense. Throughout the book of John, whenever Jesus talks to the disciples or anyone else about “believing” He uses the present continuous tense, meaning “believe and keep on believing”. When the disciples respond they use the Aorist tense (point of the moment tense – at this moment in time) or conditional constructions. This is the first time they say effectively “This makes us believe and keep on believing that you came from God. Hence Jesus response to them in John 16:31.
The present tense is used in John 4:42 only when the Samaritans in Sychar say “Now we believe (and keep on believing), not just because of what you told us . Even the Samaritans have enough sense to respond with on-going continuous belief and trust.
Notice these other verses in John: There is an underlying unbelief theme in John’s Gospel.
- John 3:32 He testifies about what He has seen and heard, but how few believe what He tells them!
- John 6:30 They answered, “Show us a miraculous sign if You want us to believe in You. What can You do?
- John 7:5 For even His brothers didn’t believe in Him.
- John 8:45 So when I tell the truth, you just naturally don’t believe Me!
- John 12:37 But despite all the miraculous signs Jesus had done, most of the people still did not believe in Him.
- John 12:39 But the people couldn’t believe, for as Isaiah also said,
- John 16:9 The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in Me.
Hence it makes it so significant when in John 16:30 the disciples finally answer in the present indicative tense prompting Jesus to
1) question do you finally believe and keep on believing? Or
2) state – You believe and keep on believing at last.
People have a free choice to respond to Jesus. Either He is the Christ, the Son of God, or He is not. If He is then we have eternal life (the life of the Age to Come) through believing in Him. (believing and keeping on believing)
More next Gem; digest that first.
Santa comes but once a year. JESUS is our ever present help.
Anon
Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don’t worry; God never blinks.
Regina Brett
Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.
St. Francis of Assisi