There’s a rule in storytelling: show, don’t tell. The idea is that a good story gives the reader the opportunity to visualize what’s going on, rather than being told. At the end of the day, we are visual creatures. We want to see to believe, whether in real life or in fiction. It’s also why movies depicting Christ’s birth, living nativity scenes, and vibrant retellings of the Christmas story are so popular. They all help us imagine what that night was like.
But at the end of the day, all we have is a picture, because we weren’t there. We didn’t see Jesus when He was born. We missed out on all His miracles, His sermons, even His crucifixion. Our belief is based not on sight, but on faith. After all, “faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)
We can take comfort in the knowledge that our generation isn’t the first that didn’t get to see Jesus. In fact, Peter wrote to first century believers not long after Jesus ascended to Heaven about this very thing.
Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories.” – 1 Peter 1:8–11
Believing in Jesus is a source of inexpressible joy because it results in the salvation of our souls! Peter points out the different kinds of belief in this passage. There is the belief in the past, finished work of Christ. That’s the belief Peter’s audience (and you and I) had. He also mentions belief in the future. The prophets told of the grace that would come with Christ, through His suffering and the glory of His resurrection. That future grace was not something that was realized in the lifetime of the prophets, and yet they had faith that it would come.
Our faith should work in both ways also. We place our faith in the finished work of Christ that began with His birth in Bethlehem and was realized when He was crucified, resurrected, and ascended to Heaven. But our faith is also the assurance of things hoped for, a faith in future things. In our case, we hope for the promised return of Christ, when He will return to make all things new!
“For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 15:22–23
Rejoice with inexpressible joy in Christ our promised savior and king!
Family Discussion
What is something that brings you great joy?
What is something you believe in even though you can’t see it?
