Today, I was in Mark, Chapters 14-16. I was, once again, deeply touched when I read that the veil in the temple was torn upon the Lord’s death on the cross (Mark 15:8). The idea and the reality that Jesus’ sacrificial death and resurrection reconciled the condition of humanity’s separation from God for eternity, and allowing for the capacity for humanity to bask in the full communion of and with God, always brings me to tears of great gratitude, praising Him!

I was also struck once again, how the disciples struggled with belief in who He says He is. We watch throughout the four gospels how the disciples often moved in and out of belief, and how He never left them or rejected them in their unbelief. In fact, He encouraged them and loved them back into believing that He truly is the One True God, the real Messiah, Whom they had been waiting for generations to come.

We see how patient Jesus was with them in Mark 16. The disciples did not believe that He resurrected when Mary Magdalene (vs 9-11) and when two of them who were walking on a road (vs 12), told the others that Jesus appeared to them, that they had seen Him and He was alive. In verse 14, He then appeared to all of them and reproached them for not believing the 3 who had told them that He had risen and was alive.

I then heard our Lord ask me, “Do you believe, wholeheartedly?” Before I could answer quickly, “Well, of course, I do, Lord,” He compelled me to think seriously about His question before responding without giving His question some thought. So, I settled down with Him, and then asked Him to reveal the places in my heart and faith, where I really do not believe Him, for whom He really IS?

Well, my goodness, I was quite taken back by His showing me several places in my heart and in my thinking and in my actions that reveal how much I do not believe Who He Says He Is. I spent some time with Him, so that He could have His way in His desire to redeem these areas of unbelief, as I repented and allowed for Him to have His way.

Our Lord is always wanting to bring more freedom in how we experience Him, know Him, how we engage with Him, and how we represent Him to the world in our daily lives, as His ambassadors of Christ on earth. In fact, He longs for us to know Him more, and desires for us to acknowledge and engage with His Presence and Intimate Fellowship.

There are many verses that speak to His desire to continue to sanctify us, so that we look more like Him to greater measures in our faith walks with God. One verse that was illuminated this morning is 2 Corinthians 3:18, “But we all, with unveiled faces, looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.”

How would you answer His question, “Do you believe, wholeheartedly?” Before you answer quickly like I wanted to, may I encourage you to sit with Him, and allow for Him to speak to your heart, too? He loves to talk with you/us about these things.

You might be wonderfully surprised by spending time with Him, as you and He talk about His question, as I was this morning.

My soul, wait in silence for God only, for my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold; I shall not be shaken. On God my salvation and my glory rest; The rock of my strength, my refuge is in God. Trust in Him at all times, pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us." Psalm 62

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Remain in Me, and I in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself but must remain in the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; the one who remains in Me, and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown away like a branch and dries up; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you remain in Me, and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. Just as the Father has loved Me, I also have loved you; remain in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love. These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.” John 15:1-11

If you decide to sit with Him for a bit, to talk with Him about this question He asks, and would like to share about what transpired, I would love to hear. You can comment below.

With love in Him,