Faith Without SEEING –

Faith without Seeing –
Pastor Calvin Cook –
May 6, 2025

Scripture Focus : John 21:4 Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. (ESV)

I am thinking through this morning how many times in the post resurrection appearances of Jesus, that Jesus showed himself, but yet, was not recognized. The ending chapters of the Gospels mention: At the tomb, in a locked room, on the road to Emmaus, at the lake, or at the dinner table just to name a few.

I have a hard time thinking, that this was the group of disciples and followers that had spent some very intimate, heart wrenching, soul searching, kingdom building times with Jesus, yet they didn’t recognize Jesus, but why? We can be drawn to many conclusions, but if we fast forward to today, what about us? Do we or are we recognizing the presence of Jesus in our very midst. If we do how and why? If we don’t, why?

Think about how many things you trust without seeing: For example, our WiFI signal. For us who are using the satellite or transponders from a tower with out being physically connected. Our cell phones, where and how is that signal coming to us without being physically connected through some type of wiring. Yet, we place much confidence in hope in that without seeing or even thinking where it might be coming from. And when we don’t have signal or it is not working, oh my! It is like our world has come to an end.

We are placing our faith in something that we cannot see, touch, even most of the time communicate with unless we know a code or password. Yet we question the presence of Jesus and don’t recognize His presence and the power of the Holy Spirit which has been breathed out upon His disciples.

If we rely on these unseen things every day, we can trust God even though we don’t see Him directly. Just because you don’t see Jesus in your social media feed doesn’t mean He’s not there for you. Faith often means trusting and waiting without instant proof.

You are one of those people Jesus calls blessed for believing without seeing. If you have doubts, you’re not alone – even Jesus’ friends had questions. But they didn’t give up, and Jesus met them in their doubt.

The damaging effect on this present day is this. It has caused us to find comfort, companionship, even times of pain and hurt with something we cannot see. Now in this day of AI it further complicates what is real or a part of some computer-generated idea that may be accurate or not !

It is time to get back to the intimacy of being friends, filling up our front porches and living rooms with gatherings, gathering in person to pray and do life together, start looking deeply into what and how the Spirit is moving in our midst and experience Jesus for who He truly has always desired to be for us, in us and through us.
The other effects are going to be – that we all of us will become slaves to some phone, digital device, social media influencer, good or bad 24 hour news system, that captivate and steal our time away, precious time that we will never get back again. Wait a minute! Are we already there?

Ask God to help you believe and to show Himself to you. Over time, you’ll start noticing God in your life – maybe through a sense of peace when you’re anxious or a verse that speaks right to you. In a fast-paced world that demands proof, choosing faith is a bold move, and Jesus calls you blessed for it.