What Leads People to Believe in Jesus?
April 01, 2023
What Leads People to Believe in Jesus?
By Brooke Holt
“Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him.” John 11:45
Who led you to the Lord or what brought about your faith in Jesus? Yes, if you said the Holy Spirit, you are right, but consider the human instruments in your conversion story or maybe experiences that led you to deeper faith. My faith was strengthened at a conference that I attended many years ago. I went with an expectation to learn more about my faith, but I had no idea what God had in store for me. I saw God work in ways that I could never have imagined. One lady in my small group came hostile to the Lord and to everyone there. But God showed up for her and worked in miraculous ways. He healed her of many emotional wounds which then allowed her to move past anger and into forgiveness for many people who had hurt her. That process so changed her life she had her young daughter baptized at the conference that weekend. Her divine encounter and transformation led to my own transformation.
In this passage, Lazarus has been completely transformed: transformed from death to life. Just imagine what happened with the people gathered at the tomb of Lazarus. With their very own eyes, they saw a miracle. You have likely read this story many times it has lost its impact. Take a moment to put yourself in the story. Imagine you are one of those people grieving the death of Lazarus are there with Martha, Mary, and Jesus on this day. You know this man is dead; Martha has reminded you that his body has begun to decompose; you have heard the wailing and weeping, the commands of Jesus, and then the prayer of Jesus.
Suddenly, the dead man walks out of the cave wearing the linen strips they wrapped around his dead body. The situation is baffling, amazing, beyond your comprehension. No one but you and those present have witnessed this kind of miracle – a dead man brought to life.
What would your response be? John tells us many people came to believe in Jesus because of this miracle, people present and people who heard the reports of Lazarus being raised from death to life. The town of Bethany was probably much different because of what Jesus did that day.
Now, let’s come back to the present. What people or experiences have shaped your faith? Do you ponder these and marvel at how God has called you to himself then transformed you? Do you share your story with others that that might come to believe in Jesus? Do you invite others to come to church so they may hear his Word and see his mighty work in their midst?
God is still in the business of working miracles, changing lives, and leading people to put their faith in his Son. May you join him in this work today that many may come to believe!
Reflection:
Think of someone in your life that does not know Jesus? Pray that God would use you to speak his words of life to them that they may come to believe that he is the Savior of the world. We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
Recommended Resources:
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