Opening the patio door, invites the sweetest aroma inside. You are instantly drawn to find the source of what you smell. Looking to my left, I see the beautiful vine that has climbed up one of Juniper trees, and has another trail of itself winding through a second tree. It is like looking at a cascading fountain of brilliant blossoms. I have found that the vine is known as a climbing jasmine. I have no idea how it has ended up in our yard. I can't exactly find its original site. I use to think it was just a carry over from a vine in our neighbor's yard, but it doesn't seem to grow there. I don't need to know its exact source to enjoy its beauty, fragrance and presence . . .
Sometimes, we struggle with things we can't make sense of. The religious leader Nicodemus thought he had this God thing all figured out, yet there was One who seemed to undo all that he had studied. His knowledge and expert practice of keeping the Law was not enough he found; no, the only thing really required was to believe that "I am He."
The Samaritan woman was surprised as well. How could Jesus, a Jew, even strike up a conversation with her, a lowly woman? Her defensive, flippant attitude gave way to genuine curiosity about this One who knew her better than any other. She too received the answer to her longing in her heart, "I am He."
The royal official who lived in Capernaum had a son who was near to death. He went to Jesus in desperation, requesting healing for his son. Jesus seemed to put him off with a response that centered on the human need for belief to be based upon fantastic, supernatural events. Yet, that didn't deter the official's plea, he just asked again. The response from Jesus required that he believed that "I am He." The only words that were spoken to the official were "Go your way; your son lives."
Three simple words brought transformation and healing to hearts bound by religious practice, ignorant understanding of God Himself, and desperate fear of death itself. Jesus knew how to meet each person with their inner needs, and offered them the hope of life with Him forever. It all came down for them to believe, and put their faith in Him, the One who told them "I am He."
"I am He." I am no different from those who lived so long ago. I too struggle with my religious practice, thinking that I just need to get better at it. Or I may at times seem defensive with my current views, and place Jesus in a box of my interpretation of who God should be and how He should act. I too can fear the unknown of life ahead. So, do I trust the One who gave me life, redeemed my life with His sacrifice of Himself upon the cross? Do I believe His word when He tells me that He's the One?
Faith is that tiny seed planted within my heart and soul by God. It grows, just like my jasmine vine. Each day, each year, as I believe, my faith in Him becomes stronger and more enduring. Faith then gives way to hope and full assurance. Assurance not in myself or circumstances of life, but in the One who has always said to me and you, "I am He."
"God's mysteries are not the heritage of the learned, the moral, or the religious simply because of learning, morality, or religion;
they are the heritage of the spiritually transformed."
(M.C. Tenney, John: The Gospel of Belief, p. 86)
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