The Power of Faith

"Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by." (John 8:59)

The time had come for Jesus to show to the people the fact of his eternal nature. "Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am" (John 8:58). They were arguing with Him about it. Jesus replied, "Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying" (John 8:55). This upset the people. Abraham by his faith had seen the future Christ and the redemption of the world. Faith has the power of seeing the future of humanity and of one's self. Jesus Christ came into this world through the nation that maintained its faith traditionally and spiritually. Abraham started off the nation on sound faith. This nation had retained faith. John the Baptist came and began to usher in a new era of Faith, the news of the nearness of the Messiah. He preached repentance to prepare the way for the Messiah. For 400 years the nation was in a very low state of faith. Then came John the Baptist. He preached repentance and confession of sins. His life was terminated by his telling the truth to Herod whose life was a great hindrance to his preaching. He knew it would be a great hindrance to the preaching of Christ himself.

Herod, a man in such a high position of authority living openly in sin was a great hindrance. Then came Jesus on the scene. When he preached the truth, they took up stones to kill him. At this time Jesus hid himself, because his work was not yet finished. He had to train his disciples a little more.