Believe.
The dictionary would say that it means:
To accept as true; to be confident about something.
And that's great. Sounds pretty good. But reading through Mark and other passages throughout the bible, I am convinced that there is something so much more to it than that.
Take my name for instance. When I tell you my name is Bailey, you believe me. Do you not? Why? Probably because you have no reason to think that I would lie to you about it and you decide to accept it as true.
But imagine if you were standing on a table playing the trust fall game with someone standing squarely behind you. It isn't the same as believing that my name is Bailey. In this situation you would need to, not only believe, but believe in the individual who claims he'll catch you. This kind of trust would take past experiences that prove that this person is trustworthy.
During the three years of Jesus' active ministry, He did many miracles. Reading through the book of Mark something began to catch my attention. Jesus often talks about the people and their faith.
When Jesus was on His way to heal a young sick girl, a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, heard that Jesus was there. She came up behind Him and touched His cloak "because she thought, 'if I just touch his clothes, I will be healed'" (Mark 5:28).
And you know what happened? She was healed. When Jesus realized she touched His clothes He turned and said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be free from your suffering" (Mark 5:34). (Emphasis is mine).
Later in the same chapter, there came word that the sick young girl had died. Their hope was gone, but Jesus says to them, "Don't be afraid; just believe" (Mark 5:36).
In chapter seven a woman comes to Him asking Him to drive the demon out of her daughter. What she says to Him shows how great her faith was in Him. He goes on to say, "For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter," (Mark 7:29).
But when Jesus goes to His hometown the people question Him and take great offense of Him.
"He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. He was amazed at their lack of faith," (Mark 6:5-6).Their lack of faith does not make him incapable of doing miracles- it says he healed a few sick people, and Jesus constantly proved the disciples wrong when they didn't believe- but when people really believe in Him, there is something so powerful that takes place.
The bible says that all who believe in Him will be saved.
There's a common saying in our culture today: Have Faith. But there is something more to it than just believing. It's in whom you believe.
To trust in Jesus or God as able to aid either in obtaining or doing something. This is saving faith.
I know this is a lot to put in one post. But do you believe that Jesus Christ is God? That He died and raised three days later in order save us from our sin?
I can't imagine how it took me so long to notice how prevalent belief was in the bible. If I don't understand anything else, I do know that it is a powerfully important message.
"See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame," (1 Peter 2:6).
